The calendar of the 2021/22 LEN Champions League has been determined and confirmed by LEN.
The Preliminary stage will begin on October 26 and consists of 14 competition days. Therefore, that means that 16 clubs, split into two groups, will take part in the League.
LEN cut the number of clubs for this season (only 12 teams participated) due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s most likely that 12 clubs will get the “wild cards” for the next season, while four will enter the Preliminary Round from the qualifications. That competition format was applied before the season 2020/2021. But, this still hasn’t been confirmed.
The qualifications begin in September (Round 1, September 24-26). If more than four teams play in the same group of Round 1, these groups will start earlier. Round 2 is scheduled for early October (8-10), while the third qualification round will be played on October 16 and 20 (home and away matches).
The preliminary phase starts on October 26/27 (each round will be played in two days, like in the season 2019/20). Day 12 is scheduled for April 8/9. After that, a two-month break will begin, and the players will join their national teams because the FINA World Championships in Fukuoka will be held between May 13 and 29.
The Champions League continues on June 7/8, while the last round of the preliminary stage will be played a week later (June 14/15).
The Final Eight in Belgrade is scheduled for June 30 – July 2.
2021/22 LEN Champions League, calendar
Preliminary round
Day 1: October 26/27, 2021
Day 2: November 9/10, 2021
Day 3: November 30 and December 1, 2021
Day 4: December 14/15, 2021
Day 5: December 20/21, 2021
Day 6: January 11/12, 2022
Day 7: January 25/26, 2022
Day 8: February 8/9, 2022
Day 9: February 22/23, 2022
Day 10: March 18/19, 2022
Day 11: March 29/30, 2022
Day 12: April 8/9, 2022
Day 13: June 7/8, 2022
Day 14: June 14/15, 2022
Champions League Final Eight
Belgrade (June 30 – July 2, 2022)
2021/22 LEN Euro Cup
The LEN Euro Cup calendar has been determined, too.
Round 1: October 1 – 4, 2021 (If more than four teams play in one and the same group of Round 1, these groups will start earlier)
Round 2: October 8 – 10, 2021 (If more than four teams play in one and the same group of Round 1, these groups will start earlier)
Quarterfinals: October 29 and November 12, 2021
Semifinals: January 14 and 11 February 11, 2022
Finals: March 5 and March 26, 2022.
The calendar of both competitions is subject to change according to TV requests, LEN announced.
