The Champions League draw needs to be revised as it requires FOUR HOURS and 900 balls

The Champions League draw is getting a new look after leaders realized it could take four hours under the current method.

UEFA draws are currently done manually, with pots used to separate teams.

But the Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues will see their formats revamped ahead of next season.

The 32-team group stage will favor a 36-team mega-league.

The sides will play against eight different opponents before entering the knockout rounds.

Each club is placed in one of four pots and must play against two opponents from each pot.

Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA deputy secretary general, has revealed that a fully manual draw is no longer possible in the new format as it can take three to four hours to complete the draw and requires 900 balls.

Therefore, a ‘hybrid’ draw will be used, with teams drawn manually from the hat and automated elements to speed up the process.

UEFA insists that any sections that are automated are independently checked to ensure the draws are not manipulated.

Exactly which system will be used has not yet been announced.

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In the new European competitions, the top eight teams in the 36-team competition phase can qualify for the Last 16.

They are also seeded one through eight in the knockout rounds in a tennis-style draw.

And those who finished between 9th and 24th will enter a play-off round to determine who progresses, with the clubs placed in 9th through 16th so they cannot face each other.

The bottom 12 teams will be eliminated and there will be no drop-down competitions.

From the Last 16 onwards, the current format of home and away matches will remain in effect.