The UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff draw was completed on 30 January 2026 at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, confirming eight ties as clubs ranked ninth to 24th in the league phase battle for places in the Round of 16.
The winners of these two-legged playoff ties will progress to the last 16, where they will join the eight teams already qualified — Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and Manchester City.
The draw produced several high-profile encounters, most notably Benfica vs Real Madrid, a fixture that hasquickly become one of the most anticipated clashes of the knockout phase. The two sides met only days earlier in the league phase, when Benfica claimed a dramatic 4-2 win to secure their playoff spot and Madrid out of the Top 8. They now face each other again with far higher stakes over two legs.
Another eye-catching tie sees Monaco take on Paris Saint-Germain in an all-French showdown, while Newcastle United have been drawn against Qarabag as they continue their Champions League campaign.
Italian giants Juventus will face Galatasaray, Borussia Dortmund meet Atalanta, and Atletico Madrid travel to Club Brugge. Elsewhere, Inter Milan have been paired with Bodo/Glimt, while Bayer Leverkusen will play Olympiacos.
Full list of Champions League knockout playoff ties
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Benfica vs Real Madrid
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Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan
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Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain
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Qarabag vs Newcastle United
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Galatasaray vs Juventus
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Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid
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Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
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Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
