The Champions League knockout phase is ready to begin after UEFA completed the play-off draw on Friday.
Sixteen teams that ranked between 9th and 14th will compete for a chance to join the top eight clubs in the round of 16.
The potential matchups for the next round are clear, following the new format introduced last season.
For example, Newcastle United will face Qarabag in the play-offs, and if they win, they will meet either Chelsea or Barcelona in the last 16. Should both Newcastle and Chelsea reach the League Cup final, they would play each other multiple times in March. However, if Chelsea is on the opposite side of the draw, they could meet either PSG or AS Monaco.
Moreover, there’s a chance for Premier League teams to face each other throughout the tournament, including the final. If Chelsea defeats Newcastle in the round of 16, they might face Spurs or Liverpool in the quarter-finals. The winner of that match could then encounter Manchester City in the semi-finals should they also win. One of these teams could face Arsenal in the final, assuming Arsenal progresses from the opposite side of the bracket.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich, who topped the league phase standings, will take on the winner of the matchup between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta or Olympiacos and Bayer Leverkusen.
Manchester City, finishing in the top eight, will meet the winner of Benfica against Real Madrid or Bodo/Glimt versus Inter Milan. Spurs and Liverpool are set to clash with the winner of Galatasaray versus Juventus or Club Brugge versus Atletico Madrid.
The bracket and potential round of 16 matchups can be found below, with play-off ties in italics. Two teams from Path 1 and Path 2 will clash in the semi-finals, as will two teams from Path 3 and Path 4.
UEFA Champions League knockout bracket for 2026 in full:
The road to Budapest mapped out 🗺️#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/MVE5BwfEup
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 30, 2026
Path 1:
AC Monaco or PSG vs Chelsea or Barcelona
Galatasaray or Juventus vs Liverpool or Spurs
Path 2:
Benfica or Real Madrid vs Sporting CP or Man City
Borussia Dortmund or Atalanta vs Arsenal or Bayern Munich
Path 3:
Qarabag or Newcastle vs Chelsea or Barcelona
Club Brugge or Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool or Spurs
Path 4:
Bodo/Glimt or Inter Milan vs Sporting CP or Man City
Olympiacos or Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal or Bayern Munich
Key Champions League dates:
- Knockout phase play-offs: 17/18 & 24/25 February 2026
- Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
- Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
- Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
- Final: 30 May 2026 (Budapest)
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