Champions League Knockout Phase Play-off Draw: Format, Dates, Fixture Schedule and Qualified Teams

The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 has entered a decisive stage following the conclusion of the league phase, with the competition now split between teams who have already secured passage to the last 16 and those who must battle through an additional hurdle.

While eight clubs have guaranteed their places in the round of 16, 16 teams remain in contention, preparing for a high-stakes knockout phase play-off that will determine who joins Europe’s elite in the business end of the tournament.

Here is a complete breakdown of the play-off draw, including the format, draw date, fixture schedule, and the teams involved.

Which Teams Have Qualified Automatically for the Last 16?

The top eight teams in the league phase standings have booked direct qualification to the round of 16, avoiding the play-off round and securing a strategic advantage.

The teams already through are:

• Arsenal
• Bayern Munich
• Liverpool
• Tottenham Hotspur
• Barcelona
• Chelsea
• Sporting CP
• Manchester City

These sides will enter the knockout stage as seeded teams, and their opponents will be decided after the play-off round.

What Is the Champions League Knockout Phase Play-off?

Under UEFA’s revamped Champions League format, teams that finished ninth to 24th in the league phase must contest a two-legged knockout play-off.

The purpose of this round is to identify the final eight teams that will complete the last-16 lineup. Each tie will be played home and away, with aggregate scores determining who advances.

The winners progress as unseeded teams, meaning they will face one of the top-eight qualifiers in the round of 16.

How Does the Play-off Draw Format Work?

The draw is structured based on league-phase finishing positions, creating defined pathways:

• 9th & 10th vs 23rd or 24th
• 11th & 12th vs 21st or 22nd
• 13th & 14th vs 19th or 20th
• 15th & 16th vs 17th or 18th

For example, Real Madrid (9th) and Inter Milan (10th) will each face either Bodø/Glimt (23rd) or Benfica (24th).

Importantly:

• Clubs from the same national association can face each other
• Teams can be drawn against opponents they already faced during the league phase

This increases the possibility of heavyweight clashes earlier than usual in the competition.

When Is the Champions League Knockout Phase Play-off Draw?

The official draw will take place on:

📅 Friday, January 30, 2026
⏰ 11:00am (UK time)
📍 UEFA Headquarters, Switzerland

As customary with UEFA events, proceedings may begin slightly later due to presentations and formalities.

Which Teams Are in the Play-offs?

The 16 teams competing for the remaining places in the last 16 are:

• 9th: Real Madrid
• 10th: Inter Milan
• 11th: Paris Saint-Germain
• 12th: Newcastle United
• 13th: Juventus
• 14th: Atlético Madrid
• 15th: Atalanta
• 16th: Bayer Leverkusen
• 17th: Borussia Dortmund
• 18th: Olympiakos
• 19th: Club Brugge
• 20th: Galatasaray
• 21st: Monaco
• 22nd: Qarabag
• 23rd: Bodø/Glimt
• 24th: Benfica

With European giants such as Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus, and Atlético Madrid involved, the play-offs are expected to deliver intense, high-quality encounters.

Who Will Newcastle United Face?

Newcastle United, who finished 12th, will be drawn against either Monaco or Qarabag in the play-off round.

Should they progress, Eddie Howe’s side would then face either Barcelona or Chelsea in the last 16, setting up a potentially daunting challenge.

When Will the Play-off Matches Be Played?

The knockout phase play-off ties will be played across two midweeks in February:

• First legs: February 17–18, 2026
• Second legs: February 24–25, 2026

Kick-off times and exact fixtures will be confirmed following the draw.

When Is the Champions League Last-16 Draw?

After the conclusion of the play-off round, UEFA will conduct the draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals on:

📅 February 27, 2026

This draw will map out the remaining path to the final, giving clubs a clear view of what lies ahead.

What’s at Stake?

Beyond qualification, the play-off round carries major implications:

• Increased fixture congestion
• Heightened pressure and financial stakes
• Momentum heading into the knockout rounds
• Risk of early European elimination

As Europe’s premier club competition intensifies, the margin for error is slimmer than ever.

Source: Skysports.com

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