The curtain-raiser for the Champions League knockout drama arrives on Friday in Switzerland, kicking off at 11:00 GMT. Sixteen teams that finished ninth to 24th in the league phase will discover their two-legged play-off opponents, while the top eight have already secured their places in the last 16.
When the Matches Happen
The play-offs are compact and decisive. First legs are scheduled for 17 or 18 February, with return legs exactly one week later. Winners of these ties will join the top-eight finishers in the last 16 and keep the competition moving into its classic knockout rhythm.
Play-off Draw Mechanics
The draw is straightforward and built around league-phase finishing positions:
• Seeded teams: those who finished 9th–16th.
• Unseeded teams: those who finished 17th–24th.
• Pairing: each seeded side is drawn against an unseeded side; for example, 15th/16th will be matched with 17th/18th.
• Home advantage: seeded teams play the second leg at home, giving them the final say in the tie.
What Happens After the Play-offs
The eight play-off winners progress to the last 16, where they meet the eight teams who topped the league phase. From that point the tournament follows two-legged knockout ties all the way to the final, which is a single match.
Seeding continues to matter: teams’ final positions in the league phase determine who is seeded in the last 16, and seeded sides again enjoy the advantage of hosting the second leg.
New Seeding Rules for Later Rounds
This season introduces a fresh twist: league-phase placings now influence seeding beyond the last 16.
• Quarter-final seeding: teams finishing 1st–4th in the league phase are seeded for the quarter-finals and would host the second leg if they reach that stage.
• Semi-final seeding: the top two league finishers are seeded for the semi-finals and would host the second leg there as well.
• If a seeded team is eliminated, the club that knocks them out inherits their seeding for subsequent draws.
Knockout Draw and Key Dates
The draw that sets the last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final paths takes place on 27 February.
Fixture calendar:
Last 16 - 10–11 March; 17–18 March
Quarter-finals - 7–8 April; 14–15 April
Semi-finals - 28–29 April; 5–6 May
Final - 30 May
With the draw looming, clubs and fans alike brace for the lottery that will shape the road to the final — where every seeded advantage and second-leg home tie could prove decisive.
