The stage is set for the knockout rounds of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League, with Europe’s elite clubs gearing up for decisive battles as the race for continental glory intensifies.
Following the conclusion of the league phase on Wednesday, January 29, a total of 24 teams have progressed from the expanded 36-team format into the knockout stages.
The competition now moves into its most thrilling phase under UEFA’s new Swiss-model system.
Teams Through to the Round of 16
The top eight teams in the league standings have secured automatic qualification for the Round of 16. These teams are
Arsenal
Bayern Munich
Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur
FC Barcelona
Chelsea
Sporting CP
Manchester City.
Clubs Headed for Knockout Playoffs
Teams that finished between ninth and 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout playoff round for the remaining eight spots in the Round of 16. The clubs advancing to the playoff stage are:
Real Madrid
Inter Milan
Paris Saint-Germain
Newcastle United
Juventus
Atletico Madrid
Atalanta
Bayer Leverkusen
Borussia Dortmund
Olympiacos
Club Brugge
Galatasaray
AS Monaco
Qarabag FK
Bodo/Glimt
Benfica
How the New Champions League Knockout Format Works
Under the new Champions League format introduced in the 2024–25 season, teams ranked ninth to 16th are seeded and will face unseeded teams ranked 17th to 24th in home-and-away playoff ties. The seeded sides will host the second leg.
The eight playoff winners will advance to the Round of 16, joining the teams that qualified directly. From that stage onward, the knockout bracket remains fixed, with no reseeding.
UEFA Champions League 2025–26 Playoff Brackets
According to UEFA regulations, the playoff bracket matchups will follow a predefined structure, with possible pairings including:
- Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund or Olympiacos
- Real Madrid or Inter Milan vs Bodo/Glimt or Benfica
- Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle vs AS Monaco or Qarabag FK
- Juventus or Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge or Galatasaray
When Is the Champions League Knockout Draw?
The official draw for the Champions League knockout phase will take place on Friday, January 30, at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The draw is scheduled to begin at 11:00am GMT and will determine both the playoff ties and the Round of 16 matchups.
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