Champions League elimination stage: Matchups, important dates, and additional details
The draw for the knockout playoff stage of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League included some of Europe’s most prominent clubs. With the draw now finalized, it is clear who teams like Real Madrid and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain will face as they vie for a place in the round of 16.
Which teams appear to have the most favorable route through the knockout stages? How is the overall bracket developing?
Here’s all the essential information regarding the Champions League knockout phase.
Which clubs are participating in the knockout playoff round?
Only the 16 teams that ranked ninth through 24th in the league phase will take part in this round.
The top eight teams from the league phase progressed directly to the round of 16, while clubs finishing 25th to 36th were eliminated from the competition.
When will the knockout playoff round take place?
The first legs of each matchup are scheduled for February 17-18. The second legs will occur the following week, on February 24-25.
What are the fixtures for the knockout playoff round?
The teams that finished ninth to 16th are listed second and will have the advantage of hosting the second leg.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
Benfica vs. Real Madrid
AS Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Galatasaray vs. Juventus
Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid
FK Qarabag vs. Newcastle United
Bodo/Glimt vs. Internazionale
Olympiacos vs. Bayer Leverkusen
What implications does this have for the top eight clubs?
Following the playoff round draw, the teams that finished in the top eight during the league phase still have four potential opponents in the round of 16.
The knockout playoff round will narrow the number of possible opponents to two. However, the specific matchups will not be determined until the round-of-16 draw.
Potential round-of-16 matchups:
Arsenal or Bayern Munich will face one of the winners of:
Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos
Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur will meet one of the winners of:
Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid
Galatasaray vs. Juventus
Barcelona or Chelsea will encounter one of the winners of:
AS Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain
FK Qarabag vs. Newcastle United
Sporting CP or Manchester City will play one of the winners of:
Benfica vs. Real Madrid
Bodo/Glimt vs. Internazionale
Is there any country protection in the draw?
No — clubs from the same nation can face each other throughout the remainder of the tournament. For instance, if Borussia Dortmund defeats Atalanta, they could still be drawn against fellow German side Bayern Munich in the round of 16.
What are the next steps?
After the teams compete in the two-legged knockout playoff round in February, the draw for the round of 16 will take place on February 27. This draw will establish the matchups for the round of 16 and finalize the bracket for the subsequent knockout stages.
What are the other key Champions League dates to note?
Round of 16/quarterfinal/semifinal draw: February 27
Round of 16: March 10-11, March 17-18
Quarterfinals: April 7-8, April 14-15
Semifinals: April 28-29, May 5-6
Final: May 30 (Budapest, Hungary)
Why is the league phase table finish significant?
Last season illustrated how the new format can significantly influence outcomes. Manchester City did not secure a spot in the knockout stage until the final day of the league phase, and their 22nd-place finish required them to compete in the knockout playoff round. As an unseeded team, they faced seeded Real Madrid, who triumphed 6-3 over two legs.
Conversely, PSG appeared unaffected by the additional round of matches, advancing past Brest in the playoffs and ultimately claiming the title.
This year, top finishers like Arsenal and Bayern Munich will gain an advantage by avoiding encounters with fellow European powerhouses Real Madrid and PSG in the round of 16.
