The UEFA Champions League Knockout has entered a decisive phase following the conclusion of the knockout play-off draw, setting up a series of high-profile fixtures that will determine the final teams to reach the Round of 16 in the 2025/26 season.
Champions league knockout play-off draw conducted at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, the draw paired clubs that finished between ninth and 24th in the newly expanded league phase. The resulting matchups promise intense competition, blending European heavyweights with ambitious challengers eager to make their mark on the continent.
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Complete Champions League Knockout Play-Off Fixtures
The following two-legged ties will be played on 17–18 February (first leg) and 24–25 February 2026 (second leg):
- Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta – A mouth-watering clash between German precision and Italian tactical discipline.
- Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen – The Greek champions face a well-drilled Bundesliga side known for its attacking football.
- Galatasaray vs Juventus – A classic European encounter as Turkish giants host Italian heavyweights.
- Club Brugge vs Atlético Madrid – Diego Simeone’s side faces a tricky test against disciplined Belgian opposition.
- Qarabağ FK vs Newcastle United – A challenging away trip for the Premier League club against seasoned European campaigners.
- AS Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain – A high-stakes all-French showdown that adds domestic rivalry to continental pressure.
- Benfica vs Real Madrid – One of the standout ties, rekindling a historic rivalry between two European royalty clubs.
- Bodø/Glimt vs Inter Milan – Norwegian underdogs take on Italian giants in a classic David-versus-Goliath contest.
Each tie will be decided on aggregate score over two legs, with extra time and penalties to be used if teams remain level after regulation time. The away-goals rule no longer applies.
What Is at Stake
The eight winners from the play-off round will progress to the Round of 16, where they will join the eight teams that qualified automatically after finishing in the top positions of the league phase. The Round of 16 draw is scheduled for 27 February 2026, with matches set for March.
The stakes could hardly be higher. For clubs such as Real Madrid, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, failure to advance would represent a significant early setback in their European ambitions. Meanwhile, sides like Bodø/Glimt, Qarabağ and Club Brugge view the draw as a rare opportunity to challenge elite opposition on the biggest stage.
Anticipation Builds Across Europe
Reaction to the draw has been swift, with fans and pundits highlighting the balance between marquee ties and potential upsets. The expanded Champions League format has already delivered unpredictability, and the knockout play-offs appear set to continue that trend.
As February approaches, Europe’s finest clubs now shift focus from possibility to preparation. With places in the Round of 16 on the line, the Champions League promises nights of drama, intensity and unforgettable football — true to its reputation as the pinnacle of club competition.
