Concacaf Expanding Champions League Format Starting In '23

Starting in the fall of '23, Concacaf will be expanding the Champions League format from currently 30 matches to more than 140 matches per iteration. In total, 20 teams across Mexico, Canada and the U.S. will qualify for the Champions League, including one spot being reserved through the Leagues Cup. Regionalized group stage competition in the fall of each year will be part of the new format, which will include four groups of both North American clubs and Central American clubs, in addition to two groups of Caribbean clubs.

A 16-team knockout stage will then be played in the spring before a regional club winner is determined. The champion will then qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup. A Concacaf spokesperson confirmed to SBJ that the current media rights agreements in place for the competition -- with FOX Sports and TUDN, among others -- run through ‘22 before the new format begins.