The 2025-26 Champions League group stage concluded on January 29, with all 36 teams completing their eight matches in the new single-league format. The competition’s revised structure eliminated traditional group stages, placing all teams in one continuous table where positions 1-8 earned automatic Round of 16 qualification, while positions 9-24 advanced to a two-legged playoff round. Teams finishing 25th or lower were eliminated from European competition.
The top eight automatic qualifiers secured their Round of 16 spots: Arsenal (24 points), Bayern Munich (21 points), Liverpool (18 points), Tottenham (17 points), Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, and Manchester City (all 16 points). The remaining 16 teams, finishing ninth through 24th, were divided into seeded (9-16) and unseeded (17-24) brackets, with the draw on January 30 determining playoff pairings.
UEFA Champions League Playoff Draw
The playoff draw was conducted on Friday morning at UEFA’s House of European Football in Nyon. The eight seeded teams were divided into four pairs, and the eight unseeded teams were similarly paired. Each seeded pair was matched against one unseeded pair.
This structure meant that ninth-place Real Madrid could only face teams finishing 23rd or 24th (Bodo/Glimt or Benfica), while 11th-place PSG could only draw teams finishing 21st or 22nd (Monaco or Qarabag).
Who Will Real Madrid Face in UEFA Champions League Playoffs?
Real Madrid will face Benfica in the Champions League playoff stage. The headline fixture, reuniting the Spaniards with their league-phase tormentors just three days after the devastating 4-2 defeat. Real Madrid, despite their ninth-place finish, are strong favorites as the seeded side and will host the second leg.
Who Will PSG Face in UEFA Champions League Playoffs?
Paris Saint-Germain will face AS Monaco in the Champions League playoff stage. The defending Champions League holders draw their domestic rivals as they look to secure a Round of 16 spot. PSG, despite their star-studded lineup, are seeded and will host the second leg after dropping to 11th place in the league phase.
Who Will Inter Milan Face in the UEFA Champions League Playoffs?
Inter Milan will face Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League playoff stage. The Italian club, finishing 10th in the league phase, is seeded and draws the Norwegian champions, who secured a shocking qualification, finishing 23rd overall. Inter will host the second leg as the higher-seeded side.
Who Will Newcastle United Face in UEFA Champions League Playoffs?
Newcastle United will face FK Qarabag in the Champions League playoff stage. The Premier League side earned seeding by finishing 12th in the league phase and will host the second leg. However, Newcastle must travel to Baku for the first leg, facing a 5,000-mile round trip to Azerbaijan.
Who Will Juventus Face in UEFA Champions League Playoffs?
Juventus will face Galatasaray in the Champions League playoff stage. The Italian champions, finishing 13th in the league phase, are seeded against the Turkish club featuring Victor Osimhen, Sané, and Gundogan. Juventus will host the second leg as the higher-seeded side.
Who Will Atlético Madrid Face in UEFA Champions League Playoffs?
Atlético Madrid will face Club Brugge in the Champions League playoff stage. The Spanish side earned seeding by finishing 14th in the league phase and will host the second leg. Brugge, despite their strong league phase, finished 19th and will travel for the crucial second leg.
Who Will Atalanta Face in UEFA Champions League Playoffs?
Atalanta will face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League playoff stage. The Italian club, finishing 15th in the league phase, is seeded but has drawn a formidable Bundesliga side in what many consider the most competitive playoff matchup. Atalanta will host the second leg.
Who Will Bayer Leverkusen Face in UEFA Champions League Playoffs?
Bayer Leverkusen will face Olympiacos in the Champions League playoff stage. The German club, finishing 16th in the league phase, is the final seeded team and will host the second leg against the Greek side. This is one of the more favorable matchups for a seeded team, given Olympiacos’ 18th-place finish in the league phase.
When Will UEFA Champions League Playoff Games Take Place?
The first legs are scheduled for February 17-18, 2026, with the return legs on February 24-25. Winners advance to the Round of 16 draw on February 27. All ties use a standard two-legged knockout format without the away-goals rule; if tied after 180 minutes, extra time and penalties decide the winner.
The eight playoff winners will be drawn against the top-eight automatic qualifiers for the Round of 16 on February 27. That Round of 16 draw will maintain a seeding structure: the top eight will face the eight playoff winners, with second-leg home advantage guaranteed to higher-seeded teams.
