The Champions League league phase is almost over, and clubs are about to discover who stands between them and the Round of 16.
Only the top 8 teams in the standings qualify directly for the Round of 16. Teams finishing 9th to 24th must battle it out in a two-leg playoff, adding extra drama to Europe’s biggest competition.
📅 When Is the Playoff Draw?
•Date: January 30, 2026
•Time: 12:00 (CET)
⚙️ How the Playoff Draw Works
UEFA has set clear rules for the knockout playoffs:
Teams are split into seeded (9–16) and unseeded (17–24)
•Matchups are fixed as follows:
•9/10 vs 23/24
•11/12 vs 21/22
•13/14 vs 19/20
•15/16 vs 17/18
•Clubs from the same country CAN face each other, meaning local derbies or repeat clashes are possible
🏟️ Playoff Match Dates
•First legs: February 17/18, 2026
•Second legs: February 24/25, 2026
Winners advance to the Round of 16, with the next draw taking place on February 27, 2026.
🗓️ Champions League 2025/26 Key Dates
•Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18
•Quarterfinals: April 7/8 & 14/15
•Semifinals: April 28/29 & May 5/6
•Final: May 30, 2026 – Budapest
