Champions League: Eight-team Lisbon tournament confirmed

UEFA has confirmed that the 2019/20 Champions League will be completed with an eight-team tournament hosted in Lisbon.

Champions League final scheduled for 23 August

UEFA's Executive Committee gave the green light for Portugal's capital to host a condensed finish to Europe's premier competition on Wednesday, with the tournament having been halted by the coronavirus pandemic in March.

Quarter-final matches will take place across four nights from 12-16 August, with last-four games contested on 18 and 19 August, and the showpiece to be held at Benfica's Estadio da Luz on 23 August.

The quarter-final and semi-final contests will have just one leg as opposed to the traditional two, Sporting CP's Estadio José Alvalade also hosting fixtures.

The outstanding last-16 ties will be completed on 7 and 8 August, though a decision has not yet been taken on whether those games will be played at the home stadiums without fans or in Portugal. The Estadio do Dragão in Porto and the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques in Guimarães will be added as venues if need be.

Istanbul to host 2021 Champions League final

Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium was originally scheduled to host the final in May but the outbreak of Covid-19 meant that was no longer a possibility. UEFA confirmed Istanbul will now be the venue of the 2021 showpiece, with the three subsequent final hosts of St Petersburg, Munich and London (Wembley) all agreeing to move back by a year.

Spain, Germany and Russia were also touted as potential replacements for this year, yet Lisbon's location coupled with the fact the Primeira Liga – which resumed behind closed doors this month and is yet to run into complications – has no teams remaining in the competition saw it favoured.

Reports suggest all teams will have hotels away from the public to maintain social distancing, with Portugal having an abundance of accommodation options and no quarantine rules in place.