Champions League Draw 2026: Full Round of 16 Fixtures, Live Updates & Shock Matchups

Champions League knockout phase play-off draw: date, time, teams, format and how to watch Football fans are counting down to Friday 30 January 2026, when UEFA stages the Champions League knockout phase play-off draw at its House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. The ceremony is scheduled for 11:00 CET (10:00 GMT) and will be streamed live on UEFA.com as well as broadcast by rights-holders across Europe. What the play-off draw decides • The 16 clubs ranked 9th–24th after the inaugural league phase will be paired into eight two-legged ties; the winners advance as unseeded sides in the round of 16, where they will meet one of the eight top-ranked teams (Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and Manchester City). • Teams can face opponents from the same country and even a side they met earlier in the league phase, adding extra jeopardy to the Champions League draw 2026. Seedings and possible match-ups Based on league-phase positions, the pots are already predetermined: – Real Madrid (9) and Inter Milan (10) will be drawn against Bodø/Glimt (23) or Benfica (24). – PSG (11) and Newcastle United (12) can face Qarabağ (22) or Monaco (21). – Juventus (13) and Atlético Madrid (14) are matched with Galatasaray (20) or Club Brugge (19). – Atalanta (15) and Bayer Leverkusen (16) will meet Olympiakos (18) or Borussia Dortmund (17). Key dates after the draw • First-leg play-off ties: 17-18 February 2026 • Second-leg play-off ties: 24-25 February 2026 • Comprehensive round-of-16 draw (also setting quarter- and semi-final paths): 27 February 2026. How to follow the Champions League draw live 1. Stream on UEFA.com or the UEFA.tv app (free account required). 2. Tune in via TNT Sports in the UK, Canal+ in France, Movistar+ in Spain and DAZN in Germany/Italy. 3. Follow minute-by-minute updates on UEFA’s X (Twitter) account @ChampionsLeague. Storylines to watch • Will defending champions Paris Saint-Germain avoid a blockbuster tie after slipping to 11th? • Could Real Madrid’s record 15-time winners be forced into an Iberian derby with Benfica? • Borussia Dortmund’s late stumble means a potential reunion with former star Erling Haaland if they emerge and draw Manchester City. With seeded giants waiting and heavyweight names like Juventus, Newcastle and Atlético fighting for survival, Friday’s Champions League draw promises drama, intrigue and SEO-gold excitement for supporters searching “Champions League draw date,” “who can my team draw,” and “how to watch Champions League draw live.”