UEFA has confirmed that Europe's top four leagues are to be guaranteed four places in the Champions League group stage from 2018/19.
Under the present system, the top three leagues - currently Spain, Germany and England - have three places each, while their fourth-placed teams must contest a play-off over two legs for a place in the group stage.
The fourth ranked league, currently Italy, have only two guaranteed places plus one in the play-off round.
The change was announced after Europe's top football officials met to discuss changes to the competition in Monaco on Thursday.
It is understood representatives from UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) discussed a variety of options to ward off the threat of a breakaway Super League.
Many clubs have expressed concerns - primarily through the ECA - about the qualifying criteria and format of UEFA club competitions.
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