With the league phase now at an end, attention is turning towards the knockout playoffs of this season’s UEFA Champions League.
The teams that finished in the top eight of the league standings progress automatically to the Round of 16. Those who ended that initial stage of the competition between ninth and 24th place must contest a playoff round to earn a right to the knockout stage proper.
The 2025/26 season is the second in which this revamped Champions League format has been used. Last year’s playoffs saw some intriguing contests, including Real Madrid beating Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate and eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain eliminating Brest thanks to a 10-0 scoreline over two legs.
Here, the Sporting News looks at the key details for this season’s knockout-playoff draw.
MORE: All you need to know about the draw for the Round of 16 proper
When is the Champions League knockout playoff draw?
The draw for the knockout-playoff round takes place on Friday, January 30, two days after the final matchday of the league phase.
It is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. CET, which is 6 a.m. ET.
Teams in 2025/26 Champions League knockout playoffs
The 16 teams involved in the playoffs were confirmed once league phase concluded on January 28.
| League pos. | Club | Nation |
| 9. | Real Madrid | Spain |
| 10. | Inter Milan | Italy |
| 11. | PSG | France |
| 12. | Newcastle | England |
| 13. | Juventus | Italy |
| 14. | Atletico Madrid | Spain |
| 15. | Atalanta | Italy |
| 16. | Bayer Leverkusen | Germany |
| 17. | Borussia Dortmund | Germany |
| 18. | Olympiacos | Greece |
| 19. | Club Brugge | Belgium |
| 20. | Galatasaray | Turkey |
| 21. | Monaco | France |
| 22. | Qarabag | Azerbaijan |
| 23. | Bodo/Glimt | Norway |
| 24. | Benfica | Portugal |
How does the knockout-playoff draw work?
The teams that finish ninth to 24th in the league phase enter the playoffs. The sides from ninth to 16th are seeded in the draw, and they are matched up with the other eight unseeded teams.
The bracket is largely pre-determined: those clubs that finish ninth and 10th are paired with those finishing 23rd and 24th, 11th and 12th is drawn against 21st and 22nd, and so on. There are no geographical restrictions, meaning teams from the same country can face one another. Teams that have already met in the league phase could also play against each other again.
MORE: All possible knockout-stage opponents for every team in 2025/26 Champions League
When are the 2025/26 Champions League knockout playoffs?
The playoffs are two-legged matchups. The first legs will take place over February 17/18, with the return games a week later on February 24/25.
UEFA Champions League knockout stage schedule
After the playoffs, the Round of 16 proper is held in March.
The quarterfinals take place in early and mid April, with the semifinal first legs at the end of the month and concluding in May.
The final is on May 30, which is only 12 days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins.
Champions League knockout round dates 2025/26
| Stage | Dates |
| Knockout playoffs | February 17/18 (first legs); February 24/25 (second legs) |
| Round of 16 | March 10/11 (first legs); March 17/18 (second legs) |
| Quarterfinals | April 7/8 (first legs); 14/15 (second legs) |
| Semifinals | April 28/29 (first legs); May 5/6 (second legs) |
| Final | May 30 |
