UEFA Announces 2025/26 Champions League Playoff Draw Results

UEFA conducted the draw for the Champions League Round of 16 playoffs on Friday, January 30, as Europe’s elite clubs discovered their paths in the knockout phase of the 2025/26 season.

Eight teams secured direct qualification to the Round of 16 after finishing in the top eight positions of the league phase, while clubs ranked from ninth to 24th were placed into a two-legged playoff round, with only eight advancing to join the already qualified sides.

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon and Manchester City all booked automatic spots in the last 16.

Real Madrid (9th), Inter Milan (10th), Paris Saint-Germain (11th), Newcastle United (12th), Juventus (13th), Atletico Madrid (14th), Atalanta (15th), Bayer Leverkusen (16th), Borussia Dortmund (17th), Olympiacos (18th), Club Brugge (19th), Galatasaray (20th), Monaco (21st), Qarabag (22nd), Bodo/Glimt (23rd) and Benfica (24th).

UEFA confirmed the playoff format ahead of the draw, with matchups determined by league-phase rankings:

Teams ranked 9th or 10th face clubs ranked 23rd or 24th

Teams ranked 11th or 12th face clubs ranked 21st or 22nd

Teams ranked 13th or 14th face clubs ranked 19th or 20th

Teams ranked 15th or 16th face clubs ranked 17th or 18th

The first-leg matches will be played on February 17 and 18, with the return legs scheduled for February 24 and 25.

Playoff Round of 16 Draw Results

Benfica vs Real Madrid

Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan

Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain

Qarabag vs Newcastle United

Galatasaray vs Juventus

Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid

Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta

Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen

UEFA also outlined the structure for the Round of 16 proper. Teams finishing first and second in the league phase will be drawn against one of the teams ranked 15th to 18th, while those finishing third and fourth will face sides ranked 13th, 14th, 19th or 20th. Clubs placed fifth and sixth will meet teams ranked 11th, 12th, 21st or 22nd, and those in seventh and eighth will be paired with teams ranked 9th, 10th, 23rd or 24th.

The draw for the Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Champions League will take place on Friday, February 27, setting the stage for the decisive phase of Europe’s premier club competition.