Champions League Knockout Round Playoff Draw: Date and Time Revealed
The Champions League knockout phase for 2025–26 is approaching rapidly, marking the beginning of the most thrilling portion of Europe's top-tier tournament.
While the league phase has delivered its share of thrills and memorable moments, it cannot match the intensity that awaits in the knockout rounds—spanning from the playoff stage all the way to the grand finale in Budapest this May.
The transition to the Swiss format has introduced the Champions League playoff round, bringing together clubs from throughout Europe in two-legged battles as they fight for advancement to the round of 16.
Below is your complete guide to the knockout playoff draw proceedings.
When Is the Champions League Knockout Playoff Draw?
When Is the Champions League Knockout Playoff Draw?
The Champions League knockout draw ceremony will occur 48 hours following the conclusion of the league phase matches, beginning at 11 a.m. GMT (6 a.m. ET, 3 a.m. PT) on Friday, January 30.
The draw will take place at UEFA's headquarters, the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, as is customary.
How to Watch the Champions League Knockout Playoff Draw
How to Watch the Champions League Knockout Playoff Draw
UEFA will provide live coverage of the Champions League knockout playoff draw on their official website, while UK audiences can also follow the proceedings through the Champions League mobile application.
How Does the Champions League Knockout Playoff Draw Work?
How Does the Champions League Knockout Playoff Draw Work?
The playoff stage features 16 Champions League teams that secured positions ninth through 24th in the league phase rankings.
These qualified clubs will be divided into matchups according to their final standings, with the eight teams finishing ninth through 16th receiving seeded status while the others remain unseeded. Seeded clubs are assured of hosting the second leg of their playoff tie at home.
Teams are organized into potential matchup groups. As an example, the ninth and 10th-placed teams will each meet one of the clubs finishing 23rd or 24th. The draw will then determine which specific opponent each team within the grouping will face.
Teams may be paired against opponents they encountered during the league phase, as well as any club from their domestic association. The victor will be determined over two legs and advance to the round of 16, where they'll meet one of the eight teams that secured automatic qualification by topping the league phase standings.
Knockout Playoff Matchups
Knockout Playoff Matchups
Champions League League Phase Table Before Matchday 8
Champions League League Phase Table Before Matchday 8
Position | Club | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Arsenal | 21 | +18 |
2. | Bayern Munich | 18 | +13 |
3. | Real Madrid | 15 | +11 |
4. | Liverpool | 15 | +6 |
5. | Tottenham Hotspur | 14 | +8 |
6. | Paris Saint-Germain | 13 | +10 |
7. | Newcastle United | 13 | +10 |
8. | Chelsea | 13 | +6 |
9. | Barcelona | 13 | +5 |
10. | Sporting CP | 13 | +5 |
11. | Manchester City | 13 | +4 |
12. | Atlético Madrid | 13 | +3 |
13. | Atalanta | 13 | +1 |
14. | Inter Milan | 12 | +6 |
15. | Juventus | 12 | +4 |
16. | Borussia Dortmund | 11 | +4 |
17. | Galatasaray | 10 | 0 |
18. | Qarabağ | 10 | -2 |
19. | Marseille | 9 | 0 |
20. | Bayer Leverkusen | 9 | -4 |
21. | Monaco | 9 | -6 |
22. | PSV Eindhoven | 8 | +1 |
23. | Athletic Club | 8 | -4 |
24. | Olympiacos | 8 | -5 |
25. | Napoli | 8 | -5 |
26. | Copenhagen | 8 | -6 |
27. | Club Brugge | 7 | -5 |
28. | Bodø/Glimt | 6 | -2 |
29. | Benfica | 6 | -4 |
30. | Pafos | 6 | -6 |
31. | Union Saint-Gilloise | 6 | -10 |
32. | Ajax | 6 | -12 |
33. | Eintracht Frankfurt | 4 | -9 |
34. | Slavia Prague | 3 | -11 |
35. | Villarreal | 1 | -10 |
36. | Kairat Almaty | 1 | -14 |
Full Champions League Knockout Schedule
Full Champions League Knockout Schedule
Stage | Date |
|---|---|
Knockout playoffs | February 17/18 & 24/25 |
Last 16 | March 10/11 & 17/18 |
Quarterfinals | April 7/8 & 14/15 |
Semifinals | April 28/29 & May 5/6 |
Final | May 30 |