UEFA Champions League is released by EA after years under Eidos ownership and development. The game takes place during the 2004/2005 season, featuring the official Champions League game for that year. However, it builds upon an engine used in FIFA Soccer 2003 , with some significant changes to gameplay. Gameplay features a more aggressive AI on attack, reducing the need to constantly push players forward using the Off The Ball controls. New refereeing aspects include deliberate errors, advantage rule and handballs, as well as a new set piece system that replaces targeting and push and shove. This system allows for more flexibility and realism in gameplay.
The presentation takes notes from real television broadcasts, with goals, fouls and attempts on goal being recapped during game stoppages and PiP popups. A faux letterboxed format is used, with next to the scoreline some statistics occasionally popup, allowing players to keep track of them for some missions. Additionally, icons for the special abilities of top players are included.
Game modes include The Season , where players lead one team to the Final in the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, aiming to succeed FC Porto as European Champions. The main honour goes to completing 50 missions, with varying objectives and expectations. Other modes include friendlies, "home and away", scenarios, and practice.