The UEFA Champions League 2025-2026 knockout stage play-off draw is scheduled for 12h Central European time, or 18h Hanoi time, on 30/1/2026. The event will take place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
This play-off round brings together 16 teams that finished between 9th and 24th in the league phase. The top eight teams from the league phase have already secured direct qualification to the round of 16, bypassing the play-offs.
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Mbappe (top) dribbles during Real Madrid's 2-4 loss to Benfica at Da Luz stadium, Lisbon, Portugal, on the final matchday of the Champions League group stage on the evening of 28/1/2026. Photo: Reuters |
Mbappe (top) dribbles during Real Madrid's 2-4 loss to Benfica at Da Luz stadium, Lisbon, Portugal, on the final matchday of the Champions League group stage on the evening of 28/1/2026. Photo: Reuters
The 16 participating teams are divided into two categories: seeded and unseeded. The seeded teams are: Real Madrid (Spain), Inter (Italy), PSG (France), Newcastle (England), Juventus (Italy), Atletico Madrid (Spain), Atalanta (Italy), and Leverkusen (Germany).
Conversely, the unseeded teams include: Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Olympiacos (Greece), Club Brugge (Belgium), Galatasaray (Turkey), Monaco (France), Qarabag (Azerbaijan), Bodo/Glimt (Norway), and Benfica (Portugal).
The draw format pairs clubs based on their league phase rankings. This creates four seeded pairings (9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16) and four unseeded pairings (17-18, 19-20, 21-22, 23-24). Teams from the seeded group will then face teams from the unseeded group according to a specific principle: teams ranked 9th or 10th will play against those ranked 23rd or 24th; 11th or 12th against 21st or 22nd; 13th or 14th against 19th or 20th; and 15th or 16th against 17th or 18th.
For instance, prominent clubs like Real Madrid and Inter can only be drawn against Bodo/Glimt or Benfica.
Rules permit clubs from the same country to face each other in the play-off round. Additionally, teams may encounter opponents they previously met during the group stage. All matches will be played over two legs, with the seeded team hosting the decisive second leg. The first leg matches are scheduled for 17/2/2026 or 18/2/2026, followed by the second leg on 24/2/2026 or 25/2/2026.
The eight winners from the play-off round will advance to the round of 16. The subsequent draw for the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals is set for 27/2/2026. The 2025-2026 Champions League final will culminate on 30/5/2026 in Budapest, Hungary.
Hoang An
