When is the Champions...

The Champions League is nearing the conclusion of the League Phase, and plenty of excitement lies ahead as the top eight spots are finalized.

The next 16 teams will enter the draw for the knockout phase’s play-off, with the leading eight teams automatically advancing to the last 16.

This crucial rest period, amid a busy match schedule, could be pivotal in the quest for trophies.

Paris Saint-Germain has shown that it can overcome challenges to claim Europe’s top club trophy, showcasing an impressive play-off performance against Brest and a memorable journey to last year’s final, culminating in a resounding victory over Inter Milan to seize European glory.

Here’s what you need to know about the Champions League knockout stage play-off draw:

When is the Champions League knockout phase play-off draw?

The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw will take place on Friday, 30 January 2026, at 11 am GMT in Nyon, Switzerland.

This draw will include teams that finished in ninth to twenty-fourth place during the league phase, while the top eight teams automatically qualify for the last 16.

Which teams are in the Champions League knockout phase play-off draw?

A total of 16 teams will be determined on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, following the final round of fixtures. Arsenal is assured of a top two finish, along with Bayern Munich, who have also qualified for the last 16.

All remaining teams, with the exception of Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal, and Kairat Almaty—who have been eliminated—can still qualify for the top eight or advance to the play-off draw.

Currently, Liverpool (fourth), Spurs (fifth), Newcastle (seventh), and Chelsea (eighth) are in positions that grant them automatic advancement to the last 16. Meanwhile, Manchester City (11th) needs favorable results elsewhere to break into the top eight and avoid the play-offs.

Other clubs aiming for a top eight finish before the final round include Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund.

How can I watch the Champions League draw?

The draw will be broadcast live on UEFA’s official website and the Champions League app. Independent Sport will also provide a live blog covering all the results from the draw as well as the latest reactions.

How will the Champions League knockout phase play-off draw work?

The clubs will be paired based on their league phase standings, creating four seeded pairs (positions 9 and 10, 11 and 12, 13 and 14, and 15 and 16) and four unseeded pairs (positions 17 and 18, 19 and 20, 21 and 22, and 23 and 24).

Seeded pairs will face unseeded pairs in the following manner: clubs in positions 9 or 10 against those in positions 23 or 24, clubs in positions 11 or 12 against those in positions 21 or 22, clubs in positions 13 or 14 against those in positions 19 or 20, and clubs in positions 15 or 16 against those in positions 17 or 18.

Teams from the same national league or clubs that have already faced each other in the league phase are allowed to compete against one another in the knockout phase play-offs.

When will the knockout phase play-off ties take place?

Matches will be held over two legs, with the seeded team hosting the return leg at their home ground.

The first legs are scheduled for 17-18 February, while the second legs will occur on 24-25 February.

When is the round of 16 draw?

The eight teams that progress from the knockout phase play-offs will be included in the draw for the round of 16, scheduled for Friday, 27 February.

When is the Champions…