Champions League Knockout Phase Draw: All You Need to Know

Champions League knockout phase play-off draw excitement is building as the 2025-26 season enters its decisive stages. With the league phase wrapped up in dramatic fashion—highlighted by Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s extraordinary last-minute goal against Real Madrid—the lineup for the knockout rounds is now clear. Here’s an in-depth look at the draw, including dates, seeding, format, and how fans can tune in worldwide.

Champions League Knockout Phase Draw: Date, Time & How to Watch

The much-anticipated Champions League knockout phase play-off draw will take place on Friday, January 30, 2026. Hosted at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, the event kicks off at 11am GMT (6am ET). Football fans across the globe can watch the action unfold live and free on UEFA’s official platforms—including uefa.com and the UEFA Champions League app. Broadcast partners will also air the draw: UK viewers can tune in to TNT Sports (with a free stream on YouTube), while U.S. audiences can catch it on Paramount+.

Champions League Knockout Phase Format and Seeding Explained

The Champions League knockout phase introduces a dynamic play-off round. Sixteen teams—those finishing 9th to 24th in the league phase—enter the play-offs, vying for a coveted spot in the last 16 alongside the top eight automatic qualifiers.

Here’s how the seeding works:

• Teams finishing 9th-16th are seeded.
• Teams in positions 17th-24th are unseeded.
• Seeded and unseeded teams are paired based on their rankings, forming four distinct pairs for each group.

The draw ensures that each seeded pair is matched only against its corresponding unseeded pair. For example, if Real Madrid draws Bodo/Glimt, Inter will automatically meet Benfica. This strict pairing system means teams cannot face opponents from outside their set pairings at this stage.

Knockout Phase Play-off Pairings

• Real Madrid (9) or Inter (10) vs Bodo/Glimt (23) or Benfica (24)
• PSG (11) or Newcastle United (12) vs Monaco (21) or Qarabag (22)
• Juventus (13) or Atletico Madrid (14) vs Club Brugge (19) or Galatasaray (20)
• Atalanta (15) or Bayer Leverkusen (16) vs Borussia Dortmund (17) or Olympiacos (18)

Round of 16: Format and Prospects

The eight winners from the play-off ties progress to the round of 16, joining the top eight from the league phase. For this knockout round, those top eight teams are seeded, while play-off winners are unseeded. The round of 16 draw opens up exciting potential clashes, with no restrictions: teams from the same nation or even those who faced off in the league phase can be drawn together.

Here’s a sample of possible matchups:

• Monaco or Qarabag / PSG or Newcastle vs Barcelona or Chelsea
• Club Brugge or Galatasaray / Juventus or Atletico vs Liverpool or Tottenham
• Bodo/Glimt or Benfica / Real Madrid or Inter vs Sporting or Manchester City
• Borussia Dortmund or Olympiacos / Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal or Bayern Munich

Draw Restrictions for the Knockout Phase

Unlike earlier rounds, the Champions League knockout phase draw comes with no country protection or prior meeting restrictions. Teams can be drawn against compatriots or previous opponents, adding an extra layer of unpredictability and excitement.

Champions League Knockout Schedule

Fixtures in the knockout phase are played across two legs, maintaining the high-stakes European tradition. Here’s the key schedule:

• Knockout Phase Play-offs: February 17/18 & 24/25, 2026
• Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026
• Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026
• Semi-finals: April 28/29 & May 5/6, 2026
• Final: May 30, 2026

How to Get Involved: Tickets and Broadcasts

Fans eager to experience Champions League nights can find official ticketing guides and broadcast details for both the UK and U.S. directly through UEFA and its partners. For updated information and more news, visit for more news.

Opinion: Champions League Knockout Drama Awaits

This season’s Champions League knockout phase play-off draw promises some of the most intriguing matchups in recent memory. The refined format, lack of seeding restrictions in later rounds, and the potential for national rivals or prior opponents to clash will keep fans and analysts guessing. With the stakes higher than ever and surprises always around the corner, European football’s premier competition is set for another unmissable knockout campaign.