The Champions League will have a new look in 2024/25 – and a slightly different sound: the famous anthem has been revised
Since 1992/93, the most important competition in European club soccer has no longer been called the European Cup of Nations, but the Champions League. Back then, the Germans Klaus Hempel and Jürgen Lenz gave the competition a completely new look – with a deliberately high-quality appearance, new name, new logo and new format. And for the first time, it had its own anthem.
Englishman Tony Britten composed the piece based on George Frideric Handel’s “Zadok The Priest”, which has long been known throughout the soccer world. “Ils sont les meilleurs, they are the best, these are the champions”, it says in three languages, among other things, and it can be said without a doubt that footballers and fans love them (with a few exceptions), even if, unlike in their early years, it is no longer just the ‘champions’ who are allowed to take part in the Champions League.
UEFA: Composer Britten has re-recorded the anthem
However, UEFA has now had the anthem reworked. Videos have been circulating for a few days showing the new Champions League intro for the upcoming 2024/25 season, in which the anthem sounds different. The instrumental accompaniment is less dominant and powerful, with the vocals moving more to the fore. Allegedly, the playback speed has also been increased.
UEFA has since confirmed the adaptation as part of the new Champions League brand identity: “The new brand includes a slightly refined re-recording of the UEFA Champions League anthem, one of the best known in the world of sport and entertainment. Its original composer, Tony Britten, has enhanced the orchestration and re-recorded the music with a hand-picked orchestra and the internationally renowned Tenebrae choir. “
Although the changes are not exactly radical, the initial reactions from fans have been mostly negative. Some are asking why UEFA had to tinker with something that was actually well received everywhere.
However, at least the timing seems right. After all, the Champions League will change almost as radically from 2024/25 as it did in 1992/93. Instead of a group stage, there will be a league in which all teams play for the first time, and instead of 32 teams, 36 teams will take part, who will have eight guaranteed matches for the first time and will all spend the winter in the competition. In 1992/93, Olympique Marseille only needed eleven games to win the title
