In a move that could significantly alter the rhythm of European football, UEFA is reportedly in discussions to eliminate extra time from the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) starting from the 2027 season.
The proposal aims to reduce the physical strain on players by taking matches directly to a penalty shootout when games are tied after the regulation 90 minutes.
This discussion comes at a time when football’s calendar is increasingly packed, with players’ unions and coaches expressing concerns over the health and fatigue of players due to an overloaded schedule.
The expansion of the Champions League group stage, alongside the introduction of new international tournaments like an expanded FIFA Club World Cup, has intensified the debate around player welfare.
However, a change of this magnitude would require the approval of UEFA’s executive committee, and according to various sources, no formal proposal has been tabled yet. The current television rights cycle, which extends until 2027, also makes immediate implementation unlikely.
This reflects UEFA’s cautious approach to altering competition rules, with the last significant change being the abolition of the away goals rule in 2021.
Fans have shown a mix of reactions, with some fans and analysts welcoming the potential reduction in playtime for player health, while others lament the loss of dramatic extra-time moments that have characterized many memorable matches in the competition’s history.
The debate on this potential rule change continues, with UEFA likely to take into account feedback from stakeholders across European football before any decisions are made.
