Champions League draw summary: knockout-phase playoff teams, matchups and schedule

Road to UCL final

From playoffs to Budapest. Still so much to be decided...

Champions League

A Premier League-weighted Champions League... with a curious twist

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Mario Branco, Benfica executive

"It's a pleasure to visit the Bernabéu. We knew it would be a difficult tie. On Wednesday we already showed that we can do it, that we stay fully switched on until the end. Over two legs it will be even harder, and we’ll face a much angrier Madrid.

We had some luck, but also the merit of believing until the final moment. We’ll try to be strong at home and then survive at the Bernabéu, the most difficult stadium in Europe. With away goals no longer counting, balance is crucial, and the emotional side will also be very important."

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Jorge Valdano, former Real Madrid player

“It's an uncertain tie for Madrid. Three days ago we would have assessed it differently, but Benfica know how to play against them. Mourinho understands exactly what troubles Madrid. Still, Madrid continue to trust in the Bernabéu’s magic.”

Champions League

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Déjà Mou

It had to be, right?!

Who's making it?

Eighth tie confirmed

Inter vs Bodø/Glimt

Seventh tie confirmed

Benfica vs Real Madrid

Sixth tie confirmed

Qarabağ vs Newcastle

Fifth tie confirmed

Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain

Fourth tie confirmed

Club Brugge vs Atlético Madrid

Third tie confirmed

Galatasaray vs Juventus

Second tie confirmed

Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen

First tie confirmed

Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta

The draw is officially underway

Now we're up and running. The first matchups will be revealed in the next few minutes.

Robert Pirès will act as the “innocent hand” today. First, all the unseeded teams will be drawn, followed by the seeded teams, to complete each tie.

The official match calendar, including the order of the home and away legs, will be confirmed later tonight.

Robert Pirès, former France international

"I love this new format. It's completely different, fresh. It feels like being on a rollercoaster. The final matchday was the perfect night. Arsenal look like the favourites based on the standings, winning every game, which is incredible, but now a new competition begins.

Arsenal, Bayern, Chelsea, Juventus… to reach the final and win the Champions League, every detail matters. It’s extremely difficult. This competition is very attractive."

Giorgio Marchetti welcomes Pirès

UEFA's Giorgio Marchetti introduces Robert Pirès, who will carry out the draw.

There were 487 goals scored in the league phase, surpassing last season’s total.

“Qarabağ and Bodø/Glimt are playing in this stage for the first time. Congratulations to both clubs,” Marchetti adds.

The Chaaaaampiiionns

Look at that shiny thing. Everyone dreams of lifting that!

Reminder of how the draw works

Clubs are paired based on their final league-phase position to form four seeded pairs (teams ranked 9–10, 11–12, 13–14, and 15–16) and four unseeded pairs (17–18, 19–20, 21–22, and 23–24).

The first tie to be revealed will involve Real Madrid.

The draw is underway

Let's see how long before the balls pop out...

Jorge Valdano, former Real Madrid player

“The good thing about this format is that the drama starts early. Finishing outside the top eight is a failure, but you survive. It's not a catastrophe. And finishing in the top eight doesn’t help you win the Champions League either.”

Teams already through to the round of 16

The eight clubs already qualified will not be part of today's draw. Finishing in the top eight allows them to watch the next round from home.

Arsenal

Bayern Munich

Liverpool

Tottenham

Barcelona

Sporting CP

Manchester City

Chelsea

How the standings changed

Going into the final matchday, almost everything was still at stake. UEFA reports 309 position changes in just two hoursacross the league table.

Madrid’s possible opponents

Real Madrid are playing the playoff round for the second straight season. A defeat to Benfica in the league phase pushed them into an extra round.

Their only possible opponents are Benfica or Bodø/Glimt, who famously beat Atlético Madrid and Manchester City earlier in the competition.

The new format frustrates Madrid

Since winning their 15th Champions League title in 2024, the competition format has changed dramatically. So far, Madrid have played 22 matches, winning 13 and losing 9, almost an even split.

Benfica cash in

Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's last-minute goal against Real Madrid sent Benfica into the playoffs and made him a hero. The club has since released a commemorative shirt celebrating the goal, priced at €22.49.

The schedule

First legs: February 17–18

Second legs: February 24–25

The round of 16 draw will take place two days later, on Friday, February 27.

No country restrictions

As last season, teams can face opponents from the same country in the playoff round. Clubs may also be drawn against teams they already played in the league phase.

How the draw is done

Each seeded pair can only face one of two specific unseeded pairs:

9th–10th vs 23rd–24th

11th–12th vs 21st–22nd

13th–14th vs 19th–20th

15th–16th vs 17th–18th

Unseeded teams (second leg away)

Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Olympiacos (GRE)

Club Brugge (BEL)

Galatasaray (TUR)

Monaco (FRA)

Qarabağ (AZE)

Bodø/Glimt (NOR)

Benfica (POR)

Seeded teams (second leg at home)

Real Madrid (ESP)

Inter (ITA)

PSG (FRA)

Newcastle (ENG)

Juventus (ITA)

Atlético Madrid (ESP)

Atalanta (ITA)

Bayer Leverkusen (GER)

Good morning and welcome

Welcome to our live coverage of the Champions League playoff draw, starting at 12 noon local CET time (6am ET), with all the latest updates right here.