Champions League Knockout Play-Off Draw Set to Shape Path to Final
SYDNEY, 30 January 2026 – The road to the UEFA Champions League final will become clearer today as the draw for the knockout phase play-offs is conducted in Nyon, Switzerland. Following the dramatic conclusion of the league phase on 28 January, 16 clubs ranked 9th to 24th will learn their opponents for the two-legged ties that will decide who advances to the round of 16.
League Phase Concludes, Top Eight Progress Directly
The inaugural league phase of the revamped Champions League format concluded on Wednesday 28 January, after eight intense matchdays. Arsenal emerged as the standout performer, becoming the first club to win all eight of their matches and securing the number one seed. They are joined in automatic qualification for the last 16 by Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, and Manchester City. These eight clubs have bypassed the play-off round entirely.
The Play-Off Contenders and Draw Mechanics
The play-off round features a clash between the clubs that finished between 9th and 24th in the overall league phase standings. The eight seeded teams (positions 9-16) will be drawn against the eight unseeded teams (positions 17-24), with the seeded sides playing the second leg at home. Clubs from the same national association can be drawn against each other, and teams may face opponents they met during the league phase.
| Seeded Teams (Positions 9-16) | Unseeded Teams (Positions 17-24) |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen | Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabag, Bodø/Glimt, Benfica |
Key Dates and Broadcast Information
The draw is scheduled for 11:00 am GMT (10:00 pm AEDT) on Friday 30 January. The first legs of the play-off ties will be played on 17-18 February, with the return legs scheduled for 24-25 February. The winners will join the top eight in the round of 16, which is set for 10-11 and 17-18 March. The draw will be broadcast live on various sports networks and streaming platforms globally.
Premier League Dominance and Potential Matchups
English clubs have enjoyed remarkable success in the new format, with five Premier League sides—Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City, and Chelsea—finishing in the top eight. Newcastle United, however, must navigate the play-offs as a seeded team. Potential high-profile clashes loom, including a possible rematch between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, or a tough draw for Newcastle against a side like Monaco or Qarabag.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Champions League play-off round?
It is a new knockout round in the revamped 2025/26 Champions League format. The 16 teams that finished between 9th and 24th in the 36-team league phase compete in two-legged ties. The eight winners advance to the round of 16.
Which teams have already qualified for the last 16?
The top eight teams from the league phase qualify directly: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, and Manchester City.
When will the play-off matches be played?
The first legs are scheduled for 17-18 February 2026, with the second legs on 24-25 February 2026.
Can two teams from the same country play each other?
Yes, clubs from the same national association can be drawn against each other in the play-off round.