One of the top club-level competitions in European football, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League have completed their league phase for the 2025–2026 season. Following the new format, teams have either advanced directly to the round of 16 or earned a place in the play-off round based on their final standings.

Overview of the Draw

In the 36-team league format applied by UEFA, the top eight teams in both competitions have qualified directly for the round of 16. Teams finishing in ninth to 24th place have earned the right to compete in the two-legged play-off round, which is designed to determine the final eight qualifiers for the knockout stage. Teams that succeed in the play-off round will continue in the tournament from the round of 16.

Date and Venue of the Draw

The draw for the play-off rounds of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League will take place on Friday 30 January at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The Champions League draw will begin at 14:00 Turkey time, followed by the Europa League draw at 15:00. The draw is an official stage in determining the knockout phase schedule of both competitions.

UEFA Champions League League Phase Final Standings

Potential play-off matchups (generated by artificial intelligence)

After the completion of the league phase, the top eight teams in the UEFA Champions League—Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and Manchester City—have advanced directly to the round of 16. The teams finishing in ninth to 24th place—Real Madrid, Inter, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabağ, Bodø/Glimt and Benfica—have qualified for the play-off round. Teams finishing outside the top 24 have been eliminated from the competition.

Structure and Match Schedule of the Play-off Round

The play-off round will be played on a two-legged home-and-away basis. The first legs will take place on 17–18 February, and the return legs on 24–25 February. The winners of these ties will advance to the round of 16. The round of 16 matches will be played on 10–11 and 17–18 March. The quarter-finals will be held on 7–8 and 14–15 April, and the semi-finals on 28–29 April and 5–6 May. The final of the 2025–2026 UEFA Champions League will be played on 30 May 2026 in Budapest.

UEFA Europa League Play-off Draw

With the conclusion of the league phase in the UEFA Europa League, the teams qualifying for the play-off round have also been determined. The Europa League draw will take place on the same day, immediately following the Champions League draw. Fenerbahçe’s opponent in the play-off round will also be confirmed. In this competition, the top eight teams have advanced directly to the round of 16, while teams finishing in ninth to 24th place have earned a place in the play-off round. The Europa League play-off matches will be played on 19 and 26 February.

Position of the Knockout Phase Within the Competition Structure

Under the new format, the play-off round has become a crucial stage in the knockout phase of UEFA competitions. The points and standings achieved during the league phase determine whether teams qualify directly for the round of 16 or must compete in the play-off round. This structure ensures that league phase matches directly influence progression into the knockout stages of the tournament.

The league stage of the 2025–2026 season has been completed in both UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, among the highest-level club competitions in European football. Following the league phase under the new format, teams have either advanced directly to theround of 16or earned a place in theplay-off roundbased on their final standings.

Overview of the Draw

In the 36-team league format applied by UEFA, the eight teams that finished in the top eight positions in both competitions have advanced directly to the round of 16. Teams that placed between ninth and 24th have qualified for the play-off round, which is played over two legs. The play-off round is designed as the final stage to determine the remaining eight qualifiers for the round of 16. Teams that succeed in this round will continue in the knockout phase from the round of 16 onward.

Date and Venue of the Draw

The draw for the play-off rounds of theUEFA Champions Leagueand theUEFA Europa Leaguetook place on Friday 30 January at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The Champions League draw began at 14:00 Turkish time, followed by the Europa League draw at 15:00. The draw is an official stage in determining the knockout phase schedule for both competitions.

UEFA Champions League League Stage Final Standings

^{Potential play-off matchups (generated by artificial intelligence)}

Following the completion of the league stage, the top eight teams in the UEFA Champions League — Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and Manchester City — have advanced directly to the round of 16. The teams finishing between ninth and 24th — Real Madrid, Inter, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabağ, Bodø/Glimt and Benfica — have earned the right to compete in the play-off round. Teams finishing outside the top 24 have been eliminated from the tournament.

Structure and Match Schedule of the Play-off Round

The play-off round will be played over two legs. The first legs will take place on 17–18 February, and the return legs on 24–25 February. The winners of these matches will advance to the round of 16. The round of 16 matches will be played on 10–11 and 17–18 March. The quarter-finals will be held on 7–8 and 14–15 April, and the semi-finals on 28–29 April and 5–6 May. The final of the 2025–2026 UEFA Champions League will be played on 30 May 2026 in Budapest.

UEFA Europa League Play-off Draw

With the conclusion of the league stage in the UEFA Europa League, the teams qualifying for the play-off round have also been determined. The Europa League draw will take place on the same day as the Champions League draw, immediately following it. The opponent of Fenerbahçe will also be confirmed. In this competition as well, the eight teams that finished in the top eight positions have advanced directly to the round of 16, while those placed between ninth and 24th have qualified for the play-off round. The Europa League play-off matches will be played on 19 and 26 February.

Position of the Elimination Phase Within the Competition Structure

Under the new format, the play-off round has become a crucial stage in the elimination process of UEFA competitions. The points and rankings achieved during the league phase determine whether teams advance directly to the next round or must compete in the play-off round. This structure ensures that league phase matches directly influence progression into the knockout stages of the tournament.