UEFA draws 2025/26 Champions League playoffs with Real Madrid x Benfica and PSG x Monaco as highlights

Uefa held the draw for the playoffs for the knockout phase of Champions League 2025/26 this Friday, January 30, at its headquarters in Nyon, at Suíça. The event defined the eight clashes that will complete the round of 16 of the competition. The duels will be played in a round-trip format, with the first matches scheduled for February 17th and 18th and the return matches for February 24th and 25th.

The teams positioned between 9th and 16th place in the league phase act as seeds and decide their place at home in the second leg. Já the clubs that finished between 17th and 24th place play the first match at their stadiums. The winners advance to the round of 16, where the top eight in the league phase are directly classified.

The knockout phase maintains the competition’s accelerated calendar, with the next draw for the round of 16 scheduled for February 27th. Esse draw will define the entire bracket until the final, scheduled for Munique.

Confrontations defined in the draw

The eight pairings were revealed during the event in Nyon and include clashes between clubs from different European leagues. Cada duel follows specific tiebreaker rules, with an away goal counting in the event of a draw on aggregate.

• Atalanta (ITA) x Borussia Dortmund (ALE)
• Bayer Leverkusen (ALE) x Olympiacos (GRE)
• Juventus (ITA) x Galatasaray (TUR)
• Atlético de Madrid (ESP) x Club Brugge (BEL)
• PSG (FRA) x Monaco (FRA)
• Newcastle (ENG) x Qarabag (AZE)
• Real Madrid (ESP) x Benfica (POR)
• Inter of Milão (ITA) x Bodø/Glimt (NOR)

These clashes mix traditional teams with clubs that surprised in the league phase. The distribution ensures balance between seeds and non-seeds.

Game dates and calendar

The first legs of the playoffs take place on February 17th and 18th in several European stadiums. The return games are scheduled for February 24th and 25th, with the top seeds playing at home on those dates.

The calendar follows the Uefa standard to avoid conflicts with national competitions. Após the playoffs, the round of 16 will be played on March 10, 11, 17 and 18.

The quarter-finals are scheduled for April, starting on the 7th and 8th and returning on the 14th and 15th. The semi-finals take place on April 28th and 29th and May 5th and 6th, maintaining the intense pace of the competition.

Duels between clubs from the same country

The draw reserved an all-French clash between PSG and Monaco. PSG, as the top seed, hosts Monaco in the return match at Paris.

This duel puts two representatives of Ligue 1 face to face in the knockout stage. Ambas teams advanced from intermediate positions in the league stage.

Monaco seeks to surprise PSG’s favoritism, which has a reinforced squad for the season. The winner guarantees a place in the round of 16 against one of the direct qualifiers.

Teams classified directly to the round of 16

Eight clubs advanced directly to the round of 16 by finishing in the top positions of the league stage. Eles wait for the playoff winners to meet their opponents.

The classifieds are:

• Arsenal (ENG)
• Bayern de Munique (ALE)
• Liverpool (ENG)
• Tottenham (ENG)
• Barcelona (ESP)
• Chelsea (ENG)
• Sporting (POR)
• Manchester City (ENG)

These teams represent the top European leagues and avoid additional games in February. The presence of four Englishmen highlights the performance of Premier League in the initial phase.

The draw for the round of 16, on February 27th, will integrate these clubs into the complete bracket. Early definition allows advance planning for the following steps.

Knockout stage format

Champions League 2025/26 maintains the new format introduced previously, with a single league phase of 36 teams. The playoffs serve as a repechage to define the last places in the round of 16.

In the event of a draw on aggregate, the away goal rule remains valid. If equality persists, extra time and penalties decide who will qualify.

The seeded teams benefit from returning home, a factor considered important in balanced duels. Uefa applies strict integrity criteria in the draw to ensure impartiality.

Confrontations with recent history

Some pairs bring reunions from past seasons or European competitions. Real Madrid and Benfica, for example, have already faced each other in the knockout stages of Champions.

Real Madrid receives Benfica on the way back, in Madri. The Spanish club seeks to maintain its historical dominance in knockout matches.

Other duels, such as Juventus x Galatasaray, also carry memorable matches from previous editions. Esses games add context to the playoffs without changing the focus on the current contests.

Club preparation for February

The teams involved in the playoffs begin specific preparation for the February clashes. Treinadores adjust strategies considering the opponent drawn.

Injuries and suspensions from the league phase influence each team’s planning. Clubes track fitness for the loaded calendar from the beginning of the year.

The break between the end of the league phase and the playoffs allows for recovery and targeted training. The direct qualifiers also keep pace with national games.

Path to the final in Munique

The final of Champions League 2025/26 is scheduled for Allianz Arena, in Munique, at the end of May. The complete bracket will be known after the February draw.

The playoffs represent the first decisive stage of the knockout stage. Oito places are up for grabs to complete the table of 16 teams in the round of 16.

The competition continues with the attention of fans throughout Europa. The defined clashes promise close matches in the coming weeks.