Celtic will discover their Champions League play-off opponent when the draw takes place at 11am (UK time) on Monday, August 3. The Hoops are seeded in the Champions Path and could face one of eight potential opponents in the winner-takes-all round.
Fixtures and Dates
The first legs are scheduled for August 18/19, with the return fixtures on August 25/26. UEFA will confirm exact dates and kick-off times after the draw.
Potential Opponents
Celtic enter the Champions Path after winning the Premiership title and remain on a potential collision course with Kazakh minnows Kairat Almaty. The full list of possible opponents: Viking Stavanger (Norway), LASK Linz (Austria), NK Celje (Slovenia) or Ararat-Armenia (Armenia), Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan) or Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) or Aarhus (Denmark) or Sabah (Azerbaijan).
Squad Registration and Home Advantage
Celtic must submit their 25-man squad by 10.59pm on Thursday, August 13, with up to two additional eligible players allowed by the day before the first leg. Being seeded does not guarantee home advantage in the second leg; the order is decided by the draw.
What Happens if Celtic Lose?
Defeat in the play-off would end hopes of reaching the 36-team league phase, but Celtic would automatically drop into the Europa League league phase.
Financial Rewards
Champions League qualification is worth around £40m, with at least eight glamour fixtures guaranteed. Celtic banked £40.3m from their 2024/25 participation, reaching the knockout stage before losing to Bayern Munich.
