The full UEFA Champions League play-off draw has been announced. 16 teams will lock horns, with only eight more progressing to the knockout stages.
This season was the first time that fans across Europe (and indeed the globe) watched the new Champions League format in action.
In the past, fans had become accustomed to eight groups consisting of four teams each. Then, it would be the case of the top two from each group progressing to the knockout stages.
Well, this season, things were slightly different. Sure, the knockout stages will still consist of 16 teams. However, unlike last season, teams were placed into one giant league table, consisting of all 36 teams.
In this new group stage format, only the top eight teams have immediately qualified for the knockout stages. Then, the sixteen teams who finished between ninth and 24th will now play a two-legged playoff.
Only the eight teams who win their play-offs across the two playoff legs will join the eight who already qualified.
Fans were hesitant going into this new campaign about how the new group phase would play out. However, due to the struggle of the usual giants, it seems unanimously agreed that this new format provides more drama and entertainment. It is also a fairer pedestal for each team.
Which teams have qualified for the Champions League round of 16?
Eight teams have already qualified for the Champions League round of 16.
- Liverpool
- FC Barcelona
- Arsenal
- Inter Milan
- Atletico Madrid
- Bayer Leverkusen
- LOSC
- Aston Villa
Full fixture list for the Champions League playoff phase
Here is the full list of the upcoming Champions League playoffs.
- Brest v Paris St-Germain
- Club Brugge v Atalanta
- Manchester City v Real Madrid
- Juventus v PSV Eindhoven
- Monaco v Benfica
- Sporting v Borussia Dortmund
- Celtic v Bayern Munich
- Feyenoord v AC Milan
When will the Champions League playoffs be played?
According to the official UEFA website, the Champions League playoffs will be played "11/12 & 18/19 February 2025."
FAQs
When are the Champions League playoffs? 11/12 & 18/19 February 2025
Which teams have already qualified for the Champions League knockouts? Liverpool, FC Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, LOSC, Aston Villa
What are the fixtures for the Champions League playoffs? Brest v Paris St-Germain, Club Brugge v Atalanta, Manchester City v Real Madrid, Juventus v PSV Eindhoven, Monaco v Benfica, Sporting v Borussia Dortmund, Celtic v Bayern Munich, Feyenoord v AC Milan