UEFA Champions League Play-Off Draw - How Does It Work?

UEFA Champions Play-off Draw Format

After a night of pure chaos in the Champions League and many losing 18-folds , the rankings have been decided ahead of the knockout phases. Benfica secured the final play-off spot in remarkable fashion, though I doubt any Marseille fan would call it that. As the dust has settled, we look ahead to the upcoming play-off fixtures in the competition and, more importantly, how they are decided

How it Works

A total of 24 teams has made it through to the next stage, eight of which have secured their place in the Round of 16. Their top eight finish means that they avoid a two-legged tie to decide their fate in this season's competition. As for the teams positioned ninth to 24th, each will be drawn against a side in the same bracket, with an opportunity to join the already qualified sides in the next stage up for grabs. Sixteen teams battling for eight places - you're really never short of entertainment in the Champions League.

This is where we start getting technical. Teams that finished in the top eight of the play-off spots are the 'seeded teams' ; those will have a favorable advantage in the tie due to their results in the initial eight fixtures. They will be drawn against the 'unseeded teams', those that finished in the bottom eight of the play-off bracket, seemingly self-explanatory.

The seeded sector and unseeded sector are then split, separating the top four and the bottom four. As such, it is broken down so the top sides at the top of the bracket are rewarded with an 'easier' draw against those that have snuck in at the bottom. For instance, Real Madrid and Inter Milan finished ninth and tenth ; therefore, they will be facing either Bodo/Glimt or Benfica, who finished 23rd and 24th. Newcastle fans will be eyeing up either Monaco (21st) or Qarabag FK (22nd) in their play-off tie, neither being a favorable opponent in such a high-stakes match . It continues in this pattern until each pairing has two potential opponents they could be facing, making for some tasty fixtures in the middle of the bracket.

🚨 Champions League - Knockouts Bracket!

✅ Top 8: Into Round of 16
📈 9th-24th: Knockout PO

🗓️ Knockout Play-offs Draw on Friday! pic.twitter.com/QeqWqMQYms

— Football Rankings (@FootRankings) January 28, 2026

The Finer Details

The UEFA Champions League play-off draw is set to commence on Friday , 30th January, around 11:00 GMT. Though this is the supposed time set, I wouldn't be in a rush to take your seat as they tend to drag these draws out by any means possible. At least Manchester United cannot be picked out twice this time, eh?

The lower-ranked side will host the seeded side drawn against it in the first leg, meaning all will be decided in home comforts for the higher-ranked team. Each team will play once on a Tuesday and once on a Wednesday ; that extra day of preparation could be pivotal for the hopes of advancing to the next stage. The first leg is scheduled for 17-18 February, with the return leg to be played the week after. Those that make it through will find out their fate in the next round on the 27th of February ; the draw will also clarify both quarter-final and semi-final passages for each side.

Before we get into all of that, we have some thrilling play-off fixtures to look ahead to. The potential for some great European giant-killings is in the making, including the most successful team in the competition's history fighting for their place in the next round. One thing is for certain: I will be keeping my hand firmly in my pocket for these fixtures, though make sure to follow along with our predictions page for developed insight into each of these potential Champions League ties.