Alex MacQuoid
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw takes place at 12:00 CET on Friday 30 January 2026 in Nyon, Switzerland. The event will stream live on UEFA.com and the official UEFA Champions League app.
Teams Involved
The draw features the 16 sides finishing 9th to 24th in the league phase – teams 1-8 advance directly to the round of 16. Final participants will be confirmed after the league phase concludes on Wednesday 28 January 2026.
Draw Mechanics
Clubs are paired based on league-phase rankings:
- Seeded pairs: Positions 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, and 15/16.
- Unseeded pairs: Positions 17/18, 19/20, 21/22, and 23/24.
Seeded teams face unseeded opponents in the following matchups:
- 9/10 vs 23/24
- 11/12 vs 21/22
- 13/14 vs 19/20
- 15/16 vs 17/18
Same-association clashes are permitted, as are rematches from the league phase.
Fixtures and Schedule
Ties are two-legged, with seeded teams hosting the return fixture. Matches are scheduled for:
- First legs: 17/18 February 2026
- Second legs: 24/25 February 2026
UEFA will adjust dates or kick-off times for stadium clashes, following Club Competitions Committee principles. The full calendar will be published post-draw.
Winners progress to the round of 16, with the next draw set for Friday 27 February 2026.
Full Knockout Phase Timeline
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Knockout Play-Offs | 17/18 & 24/25 February 2026 |
| Round of 16 | 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026 |
| Quarter-Finals | 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026 |
| Semi-Finals | 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026 |
| Final | 30 May 2026 (Budapest) |
“The new format adds unpredictability – every point in the league phase now carries knockout stakes,” said UEFA Competitions Director Giorgio Marchetti.
Follow TipsGG for live draw analysis and tactical breakdowns of all eight ties.