champions league draw

Champions League Playoff Draw Overview

The UEFA Champions League 2025-26 knockout phase play-off draw was held on
January 30, 2026, in Switzerland, setting up eight high-stakes two-legged battles.
These clashes will decide the final spots in the Round of 16 alongside the top-eight league-phase finishers.

The league phase ended in pure drama, capped by an unbelievable moment as
Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a last-minute goal against
Real Madrid, sending José Mourinho’s Benfica into the playoffs
and pushing the holders into danger territory.

Draw Format Explained

• Seeded teams: League-phase finishers ranked 9th–16th (second-leg home advantage)
• Unseeded teams: Teams ranked 17th–24th
• Seeded teams were drawn against unseeded teams only

Seeded Teams

Real Madrid, Inter Milan, PSG, Newcastle United, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen

Unseeded Teams

Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabağ, Bodø/Glimt, Benfica

Confirmed Knockout Playoff Matchups

These ties blend European royalty with fearless challengers.
Real Madrid, shocked into the playoffs by Benfica, could now face either
Norwegian sensation Bodø/Glimt or Mourinho’s men again.

Match Schedule & Key Dates

• First Legs: February 17–18, 2026
• Second Legs: February 24–25, 2026
• Round of 16 Draw: February 27, 2026

The Round of 16 draw will ensure no rematches from the league phase, adding another layer of intrigue.

Big Stories & Key Implications

• José Mourinho’s Benfica delivering one of the season’s biggest shocks
• PSG chasing back-to-back playoff success after missing top-eight qualification
• Newcastle United standing as England’s only playoff representative
• Potential German-Italian clashes: Dortmund vs Leverkusen or Atalanta
• Underdogs like Qarabağ and Bodø/Glimt threatening Europe’s elite

Where to Watch the Action

Fans can follow every moment live on UEFA.com,
TNT Sports, and Paramount+ as Europe’s road to the
May 30 Champions League Final heats up.