The anticipation is building across European football as the Champions League knockout stages edge closer, with teams vying to secure their positions in the prestigious play-off draw following the conclusion of the league-phase fixtures. Arsenal and Bayern Munich are currently poised to finish in the top two of the table, which would guarantee them direct entry into the round of 16 and the advantage of a home second leg in their subsequent knockout ties.
When is the Champions League Play-Off Draw?
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled to take place on Friday, 30 January 2026, at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The proceedings will kick off at 11am GMT, featuring teams that secured positions from ninth to 24th place in the league phase. This draw is a crucial step for clubs aiming to extend their European campaigns beyond the initial group stages.
How to Watch the Draw on TV and Live Stream
Football enthusiasts can catch all the action live as the draw will be streamed directly on UEFA’s official website and through the dedicated Champions League app. This provides fans with convenient access to the event, ensuring they don’t miss any of the pivotal match-up announcements.
Understanding the Draw Mechanics
The draw operates on a structured pairing system based on the final league-phase standings. Clubs are organised into four seeded pairs: positions nine and 10, 11 and 12, 13 and 14, and 15 and 16. Correspondingly, there are four unseeded pairs from positions 17 and 18, 19 and 20, 21 and 22, and 23 and 24.
In the draw, clubs from each seeded pair are matched against two clubs from each unseeded pair. Specifically, clubs in positions 9 or 10 will face off against those in positions 23 or 24, while clubs 11 or 12 take on clubs 21 or 22. Similarly, clubs 13 or 14 are drawn against clubs 19 or 20, and clubs 15 or 16 compete against clubs 17 or 18. Notably, teams from the same national association can be pitted against each other in these knockout phase play-offs, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the fixtures.
Play-Off Fixture Schedule and Beyond
The Champions League knockout phase is set to unfold with a series of key dates:
- Knockout Phase 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
Looking ahead, the round of 16 draw is slated for Friday, 27 February 2026. This will integrate the eight teams that progress from the knockout phase play-offs with the eight teams that qualified automatically from the league phase, setting the stage for the latter rounds of the competition.
As the drama unfolds, all six Premier League clubs remain in contention for spots in the top eight, which would secure direct qualification to the last 16. However, they will need favourable results in the upcoming fixtures to achieve this. While the additional play-off fixture presents a challenge, it can also serve as a springboard for success, as demonstrated by Paris Saint-Germain last year. Their journey through the play-offs culminated in a historic run to the final, where they convincingly defeated Inter to clinch the tournament title.
