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Rule changes for this season's Champions League

Can teams register new players? What are the new rules around substitutes? How has the format been amended?

The remainder of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League season has been mapped out, and it is not just dates and venues that have changed.

UEFA.com runs through the key amendments.

How has the format changed?

The Champions League season so far

Quarter-finals and semi-finals will now take place as single-leg ties.

Where will matches take place?

From the quarter-finals, all matches take place at two stadiums in Lisbon, Portugal:

Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Estádio José Alvalade

Unplayed round of 16 second legs will be held at the club's home ground.

The final will be staged at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

Final: All you need to know

Can clubs register new players?

Yes, teams can register a maximum of three new 'List A' players. But there are a couple of caveats:

  • Each squad is still limited to 25 List A players (players can be removed to make room);
  • Players must have been already registered and eligible to play for the club at domestic level since 3 February or in any case by no later than before the first leg of the round of 16 as initially scheduled for the relevant team.
New law amendments

Will there be more substitutes?

See how the stars prepared for the Return to Play

Teams will be able to make five substitutions but will only be allowed to make these changes at three points in the game. These three occasions do not include changes at half-time, between the end of normal playing time and extra time, and at half-time during extra time. One additional substitution will be allowed during extra time.

There will also be more player to choose from: a total of 23 players will be allowed on the match sheet instead of 18, something usually only permitted for the final.

When are the matches?

Round of 16 7/8 August
Quarter-finals 12-15 August
Semi-finals 18/19 August
Final 23 August

All matches kick off at 21:00 CET. Check out the full schedule here.

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