The UEFA Champions League enters its crucial knockout phase this Friday, with the play-off draw set to determine the fate of 16 teams vying for a place in the last 16. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, alongside giants like Real Madrid and Newcastle United, face an extra hurdle in their quest for European glory, while Premier League clubs Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester City can relax with their spots in the round of 16 already secured.
When and Where is the Champions League Play-Off Draw?
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw will commence at 11am GMT on Friday, 30 January 2026. The event will be held in Nyon, Switzerland, and marks a pivotal moment as teams from ninth to 24th place in the league phase compete for a chance to advance. The top eight sides, including the aforementioned Premier League quartet, have automatically qualified for the last 16, bypassing this initial knockout stage.
Which Teams Are Involved in the Draw?
A total of 16 teams are included in the play-off draw, split into seeded and unseeded categories based on their league phase finishes. The seeded teams, representing positions nine to 16, are as follows:
- 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)
The unseeded teams, from positions 17 to 24, include:
- 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 stage again after doing so en route to last year's triumph, while Real Madrid, the record competition winners, also feature prominently.
How to Watch the Draw Live
Football fans can follow the draw live via UEFA's official website and the Champions League app. For comprehensive coverage, including real-time results and expert analysis, Independent Sport will host a live blog throughout the event.
How Does the Play-Off Draw Work?
The draw mechanism pairs clubs based on their league phase positions. Four seeded pairs are formed: positions 9 and 10, 11 and 12, 13 and 14, and 15 and 16. Correspondingly, four unseeded pairs are created: positions 17 and 18, 19 and 20, 21 and 22, and 23 and 24.
Each seeded pair will be drawn against an unseeded pair, with specific match-ups as follows:
- 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 restricted from playing each other in these play-offs.
Schedule for the Knockout Phase Play-Off Ties
The play-off ties will be contested over two legs, with the seeded team hosting the return match. The first legs are scheduled for 17-18 February, followed by the second legs on 24-25 February. The eight victorious teams will then progress to the round of 16 draw, which is set for Friday, 27 February.
Potential Round of 16 Fixtures
Looking ahead, the round of 16 will feature intriguing match-ups based on the play-off outcomes. The combinations are as follows:
- Monaco or Qarabag versus PSG or Newcastle will play Barcelona or Chelsea
- Club Brugge or Galatasaray versus Juventus or Atletico Madrid will play Liverpool or Tottenham
- Bodo/Glimt or Benfica versus Real Madrid or Inter Milan will play Sporting or Manchester City
- Borussia Dortmund or Olympiakos versus Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen will play Arsenal or Bayern Munich
This setup promises high-stakes drama as the Champions League knockout phase unfolds, with every team aiming to keep their dreams of lifting the prestigious trophy alive.
