The draw for the Champions League knockout play-offs has set up thrilling matchups, with Manchester City drawn against reigning titleholders Real Madrid, while Paris Saint-Germain will compete against domestic rivals Brest.
Knockout play-offs confirmed after League phase conclusion
Following an intense climax to the inaugural league-phase format on Wednesday night, the expanded 36-team standings were finalized. The top eight teams advanced directly to the round of 16, avoiding the play-off round. Meanwhile, the clubs finishing between ninth and 24th place now prepare for a two-legged contest in February to secure their progression.
Each team had an already determined set of potential opponents based on their final placement, but Friday’s draw at UEFA’s House of Football in Switzerland, conducted by Thiago Alcantara, confirmed the exact matchups.
Full list of Champions League knockout play-off fixtures
The draw produced several high-profile ties, including the clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid, as well as Celtic’s battle against Bayern Munich. The complete list of fixtures is as follows, with seeded teams listed second:
Play-off schedule and future draws
The first-leg matches will take place on either Tuesday, February 11, or Wednesday, February 12. The return legs will follow on February 18 and 19, determining which teams will move on to the round of 16.
Once the play-off round concludes, UEFA will hold a draw on Friday, February 21, to determine the full pathway to the final, including matchups for the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals. This will reveal the opponents for the eight teams that secured direct qualification, among them Liverpool, Barcelona, and Arsenal.
