The lowdown and how to follow the 24/25 UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw

We’re at the final stretch of the first ever edition of the ‘Swiss model’ Champions League group stage with one single league featuring 36 sides.

Despite early scepticism surrounding the format, most people would agree that the switch has been a success with plenty of scenarios and potential drama ahead as we go into the eighth and final matchday.

The moment of truth will arrive on Wednesday and the stakes couldn’t be higher for most of the sides.

On Wednesday, January 29, all 18 games will kick off simultaneously at 3pm (ET), promising a night of high drama as every goal could reshape the final standings and the fate of the teams involved.

Under the new structure, the top eight teams advance directly to the Round of 16 and those sides ranked 9th through 24th will enter a play-off round, while those in 25th or lower are eliminated from the competition.

Friday’s draw

The play-off draw will take place on Friday, January 31 and will be staged at 6am (ET). The draw determine matchups for the playoff round and bracket seedings through to the final on May 31 in Munich.

Higher-seeded teams (9th–16th) will host the second leg, with matches scheduled for February 11–12 (first leg) and February 18–19 (second leg).

The sides that advance from the play-off, then meet the top eight already qualified sides for the Round of 16 and the competition then takes a conventional knockout format through to the final.

How to follow the playoff draw

The draw can be followed via UEFA’s YouTube channel with proceedings set to start shortly before 06:00 am (ET) on Friday, January 31 (2025.

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