Champions League Knockout Phase Play-Off Draw: Everything You Need to Know
The UEFA Champions League enters its decisive knockout phase, with the play-off draw set to confirm the crucial ties that will determine which teams advance to the last sixteen. Following a dramatic conclusion to the league phase on Wednesday, sixteen sides must navigate an additional hurdle to keep their dreams of European glory alive. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, alongside giants like Real Madrid and Newcastle United, find themselves in this play-off round, while Premier League clubs Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester City have already secured their places in the round of sixteen.
When and Where is the Draw?
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled to commence at 11am GMT on Friday, 30 January 2026. The event will be held in Nyon, Switzerland, UEFA's headquarters. This draw involves teams that finished between ninth and twenty-fourth place in the league phase, with the top eight sides earning automatic qualification to the last sixteen, bypassing this extra stage.
Which Teams Are Involved?
A total of sixteen clubs will enter the draw, split into seeded and unseeded categories based on their league phase positions. The seeded teams, representing higher finishes, include some of Europe's most prestigious names.
Seeded Teams:
- 9. Real Madrid (Spain)
- 10. Inter Milan (Italy)
- 11. Paris St. Germain (France)
- 12. Newcastle United (England)
- 13. Juventus (Italy)
- 14. Atletico Madrid (Spain)
- 15. Atalanta (Italy)
- 16. Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Unseeded Teams:
- 17. Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
- 18. Olympiacos (Greece)
- 19. Club Brugge (Belgium)
- 20. Galatasaray (Turkey)
- 21. AS Monaco (France)
- 22. Qarabag (Azerbaijan)
- 23. Bodo/Glimt (Norway)
- 24. Benfica (Portugal)
Notably, PSG, the current holders, must navigate this play-off stage once again, a path they successfully traversed last season on their way to lifting the trophy. Real Madrid, the competition's record winners, also feature among the seeded sides, adding significant prestige to the draw.
How to Watch the Draw Live
Football fans can follow the draw live through multiple channels. UEFA will provide a live stream on its official website and via the Champions League app. Additionally, Independent Sport will host a live blog offering real-time updates, results from the draw, and immediate reaction and analysis as the pairings are revealed.
Understanding the Draw Mechanics
The draw operates on a specific pairing system based on league phase positions. Clubs are grouped into four seeded pairs: positions 9 and 10, 11 and 12, 13 and 14, and 15 and 16. Correspondingly, there are four unseeded pairs: positions 17 and 18, 19 and 20, 21 and 22, and 23 and 24.
Each seeded pair will be drawn against an unseeded pair according to a predetermined structure:
- Clubs 9 or 10 will face clubs 23 or 24.
- Clubs 11 or 12 will face clubs 21 or 22.
- Clubs 13 or 14 will face clubs 19 or 20.
- Clubs 15 or 16 will face clubs 17 or 18.
It is important to note that teams from the same national association, or those that have already met in the league phase, are not prevented from being drawn against each other in these play-off ties, potentially setting up domestic or familiar clashes.
Fixture Dates and Round of 16 Outlook
The knockout phase play-off ties will be contested over two legs. The seeded team, as per the draw, is scheduled to play the return leg at home. The first legs are set for 17-18 February 2026, with the second legs following on 24-25 February 2026.
The eight victorious teams from these play-offs will then progress to the round of sixteen. The draw for that subsequent stage is slated for Friday, 27 February 2026. The round of sixteen will see these qualifiers join the eight teams that finished in the top eight of the league phase, including the Premier League's Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
Potential round of sixteen combinations have already been mapped out, offering a glimpse into the future battles. For instance, the winner of the tie between Monaco or Qarabag will face either PSG or Newcastle, with that victor then set to play against Barcelona or Chelsea in the next round. Similarly, other paths are defined, ensuring a thrilling progression towards the latter stages of Europe's premier club competition.
