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Champions League Knockout Phase Play-Off Draw: Everything You Need to know
The league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League has concluded, and the competition now moves into its first knockout hurdle: the play-offs. This new stage determines the final eight teams to join the league phase winners in the Round of 16.
The top eight teams in the league phase have automatically qualified for the last 16, while the next 16 sides will compete in the knockout phase play-offs to continue their European journey.
The guaranteed rest for the top eight teams could prove advantageous as they navigate a congested schedule of domestic and continental competitions.
Last season demonstrated that the play-off route is not a disadvantage. Several strong teams successfully progressed through the February play-offs and achieved deep runs in the competition, highlighting the competitive nature of the new format.
Hear’s everything you need to know about the 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, January 30, at 11:00 Irish time (10:00 GMT). UEFA
The draw will be held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Which teams are involved in the draw?
The draw includes the teams that finished ninth to 24th in the league phase. Teams ranked ninth to 16th are seeded, while teams finishing 17th to 24th are unseeded.
Seeded teams (league phase finish in brackets):
- Real Madrid