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this Champions League The league stage is coming to an end and there will be a lot of drama as the top eight are determined.
The next 16 teams will enter the knockout stage play-off draw, and the top eight teams will receive a bye into the top 16.
In a tight schedule, valuable rest could prove decisive in the fight for trophies.
PSG proved that was no obstacle to winning Europe’s most coveted club trophy, though, beating Brest in the play-offs before storming to last year’s final and beating Inter Milan for European glory.
Here’s everything we know about the Champions League knockout stage play-off draws:
when and where Champions League knockout stage play-off draw?
The draw for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout round play-offs will begin on Friday 30 January 2026 at 11am (GMT) in Nyon, Switzerland
The draw includes teams ranked 9th to 24th in the league stage, with the top 8 teams in the league stage automatically advancing to the top 16.
Which teams are included in the Champions League knockout play-off draw?
The 16 teams will be decided after the final round of matches on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Arsenal are guaranteed to finish first or second, while Bayern Munich also advance to the last 16.
Except for Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal, and Kairat Almaty, which have all been eliminated, other teams can advance to the quarterfinals or the play-offs.
Liverpool (fourth), Tottenham (fifth), Newcastle (seventh) and Chelsea (eighth) are all currently automatically qualified for the last 16, while Manchester City (11th) must rely on results elsewhere to reach the top eight and avoid the play-offs.
Other teams hoping to finish in the top eight after the final round include Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.
How can I watch the draw?
The draw results will be broadcast live on the UEFA website and Champions League app, while independent sports channels will have a live blog with all the draw results and the latest reaction.
How will the draw for the Champions League knockout round play-offs be conducted?
Clubs are paired according to league stage rankings, forming four seed pairs: ranked 9 and 10, ranked 11 and 12, ranked 13 and 14, and ranked 15 and 16. There are four unseeded pairs: Nos. 17 and 18, Nos. 19 and 20, Nos. 21 and 22, and Nos. 23 and 24.
Clubs from each seeded pair will play an unseeded pair: Club 9 or 10 against Club 23 or 24, Club 11 or 12 against Club 21 or 22, Club 13 or 14 against Club 19 or 20, Club 15 or 16 against Club 17 or 18.
Teams from the same national association, or teams that have already met in the league stage, can play play-offs in the knockout stage.
When will the knockout stage play-offs take place?
The game will be played in two legs, with the seeded teams playing the second leg at home.
The first round will be held on February 17th and 18th, and the second round will be held on February 24th and 25th.
When will the draw for the top 16 be held?
The eight teams that advance from the knockout stages will participate in the round of 16 draw on Friday 27 February.