The stage is set. The Champions League knockout draw is on January 30, 2026, with a new, expanded format creating a path to the final for 24 teams. Here’s your definitive guide to the playoffs, Round of 16, and the road to Budapest.
The wait is over. Following the conclusion of the league phase, the draw for the knockout rounds of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League is finally upon us. This isn’t just a simple draw; it’s the moment the tournament’s new, expanded format truly comes to life, setting the stage for a dramatic run to the final in Budapest.
This year marks the second season of the Champions League’s revolutionary league phase. Instead of traditional group stages, 36 teams played eight matches against various opponents. Now, the stakes are at their highest, and the draw will determine who faces who in a quest for Europe’s most coveted trophy.
When is the Champions League Draw? How to Watch
Mark your calendars. The official draw ceremony for the knockout phase playoffs and Round of 16 will take place on Friday, January 30, 2026. The action kicks off at 6:00 a.m. ET.
For fans eager to watch the live stream and see the matchups unfold, the draw will be available exclusively on UEFA.com, the official home of the Champions League.
How the New Champions League Playoff Draw Works
The new format is designed to create more meaningful matches and increase competitiveness. The draw process is meticulous, designed to ensure fairness and create a clear path forward for the teams who finished the league phase in different positions.
The Playoff Round: The teams who finished in 9th through 24th place enter this round. They are paired based on their final league positions to form four seeded pairs (9th/10th, 11th/12th, 13th/14th, 15th/16th) and four unseeded pairs (17th/18th, 19th/20th, 21st/22nd, 23rd/24th). The draw then pits the seeded teams against the unseeded ones, creating matchups like 9th vs. 24th, 10th vs. 23rd, and so on. The eight winners of these two-legged ties will advance to the Round of 16.
The Round of 16: The eight playoff winners will join the top eight teams from the league phase (1st through 8th place) in the Round of 16. The top eight teams are seeded, and each will be drawn against one of the eight playoff winners, who will be unseeded for this stage. The draw also determines which teams play the first leg at home, a crucial factor in the two-legged tie.
Which Teams Have Already Secured Their Spots?
The league phase is complete, and the final standings are in. The eight teams who finished in the top spots have secured a direct path to the Round of 16, avoiding the playoff drama.
- Arsenal
- Bayern Munich
- Liverpool
- Tottenham
- Barcelona
- Chelsea
- Sporting CP
- Manchester City
- Real Madrid
- Inter Milan
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Newcastle United
- Juventus
- Atlético Madrid
- Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Borussia Dortmund
- Olympiacos
- Club Brugge
- Galatasaray
- Monaco
- Qarabağ
- Bodø/Glimt
- Benfica
The Complete 2026 Champions League Knockout Schedule
From the first playoff leg to the final whistle in Budapest, here is the full schedule for the knockout stages, providing a clear roadmap for the rest of the tournament.
Playoff Round
- First legs: February 17 and 18, 2026
- Second legs: February 24 and 25, 2026
Round of 16
- First legs: March 10 and 11, 2026
- Second legs: March 17 and 18, 2026
Quarterfinals
- First legs: April 7 and 8, 2026
- Second legs: April 14 and 15, 2026
Semifinals
- First legs: April 28 and 29, 2026
- Second legs: May 5 and 6, 2026
Final
- Date: May 30, 2026
- Location: Budapest, Hungary
The draw is the moment the narrative for the rest of the Champions season is written. Will we see a repeat of last year’s final, or will a new giant emerge? The answers begin on Friday.
For the fastest, most in-depth analysis of every Champions League matchup and tournament twist, make onlytrustedinfo.com your go-to source. We break down the strategy, the history, and what it all means for fans like you.
