Champions League 2025-26 knockout phase playoffs: Teams, schedule, dates, times and how it works

The Champions League knockout phase playoffs begin on Tuesday, February 17, and conclude on Wednesday, February 25, when eight teams will secure their spots in the round of 16 and complete this season’s bracket.

European heavyweights including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter and Juventus are among the clubs desperate to avoid an early UCL exit.

How the new Champions League knockout phase works

In the league phase, the top eight teams advanced directly to the two-leg round of 16, scheduled for March 11-12 and March 18-19. The draw for the round of 16 will take place on February 27.

Teams that finished from ninth through 24th place moved on to the knockout phase playoffs, an extra two-leg round introduced under the new format. The games will be played February 17-18 and February 24-25 and will determine the final eight spots in the round of 16.

Clubs finishing between ninth and 16th have been seeded for the playoffs and will host the second leg at home, giving them a potential edge.

Champions League 2025-26 knockout phase playoffs schedule: Dates and times

First legs

Tuesday, February 17

• 12:45 p.m. ET: Galatasaray vs Juventus
• 3 p.m. ET: Monaco vs PSG
• 3 p.m. ET: Benfica vs Real Madrid
• 3 p.m. ET: Dortmund vs Atalanta

Wednesday, February 18

• 12:45 p.m. ET: Qarabag vs Newcastle
• 3 p.m. ET: Bodø/Glimt vs Inter
• 3 p.m. ET: Club Brugge vs Atlético Madrid
• 3 p.m. ET: Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen

Second legs

Tuesday, February 24

• 12:45 p.m. ET: Atlético Madrid vs Club Brugge
• 3 p.m. ET: Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos
• 3 p.m. ET: Inter vs Bodø/Glimt
• 3 p.m. ET: Newcastle vs Qarabag

Wednesday, February 25

12:45 p.m. ET: Atalanta vs Dortmund

3 p.m. ET: Juventus vs Galatasaray

3 p.m. ET: PSG vs Monaco

3 p.m. ET: Real Madrid vs Benfica

What happens if the aggregate score is tied? Are away goals used?

The away goals rule was removed by UEFA from all of its competitions, including the Champions League, at the start of the 2021-22 season.

If teams are tied after 180 minutes at the end of the second leg, 30 minutes of extra time, played in two 15-minute periods, will follow. If the aggregate score remains level, a penalty shootout will determine the winner.

Which teams have already qualified for the round of 16?

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and Manchester City finished in the top eight of the league phase, in that order, and qualified directly for the round of 16.

When is the draw for the Champions League 2025-26 round of 16?

The round of 16 draw takes place on Friday, February 27. The bracket for the entire knockout stage will be set on that date.

Although the exact matchups are not yet known, certain sets of teams have been paired together, giving a clearer picture of how the round of 16 could look:

• Monaco or PSG vs Barcelona or Chelsea
• Galatasaray or Juventus vs Liverpool or Tottenham
• Benfica or Real Madrid vs Sporting CP or Manchester City
• Dortmund or Atalanta vs Arsenal or Bayern Munich
• Qarabag or Newcastle vs Chelsea or Barcelona
• Club Brugge or Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham or Liverpool
• Bodø/Glimt or Inter vs Manchester City or Sporting CP
• Olympiacos or Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich or Arsenal

When is the Champions League 2025-26 round of 16?

The first legs of the round of 16 will be played on Tuesday, March 11, and Wednesday, March 12. The return legs follow the next week on Tuesday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 19.

2025-26 Champions League knockout stage schedule

Knockout phase playoffs

Draw: January 30

First legs: February 17-18

Second legs: February 24-25

Round of 16

Draw: February 27

First legs: March 11-12

Second legs: March 18-19

Quarterfinals

Draw: February 27

First legs: April 7-8

Second legs: April 14-15

Semifinals

Draw: February 27

First legs: April 28-29

Second legs: May 5-6

Final

May 30 at Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary

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