The UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff draw took place on Jan. 30 at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. After the dramatic matchday 8 festivities concluded the league stage, the knockout phase matches will take place over two legs.
The first leg matches will be played on February 17-18, and the return leg fixtures will be played on 24-25 February. Robert Pires made the draw, which saw Real Madrid get paired against Benfica for the knockout phase play-off.
Defending champions PSG will lock horns against fellow Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco, after failing to finish in the top 8.
After the revamped Champions League format kicked in, the knockout phase will see teams that finished from 9th to 24th in the league standings drawn up against each other.
Among the marquee fixtures, Premier League side Newcastle United will face Qarabag. Italian giants Juventus have been paired alongside Turkish royalty Galatasaray. German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund will take on Atalanta.
Atletico Madrid will lock horns with Club Brugge, while Inter Milan have been drawn alongside Bodø/Glimt. Lastly, Bayer Leverkusen will faceoff against Olympiacos.
The knockout phase play-offs are set ✅#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/SLapvWxVV2
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 30, 2026
After the two-legged knockout play-offs, 8 teams will qualify for the round of 16, and they will face the likes of Arsenal, Bayern, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting and Manchester City, who have already booked their tickets for the next round.
Return of Jose Mourinho at Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid were soundly beaten by Benfica 4-2 on matchday 8 of the league stage. The defeat not only forced Los Blancos out of the top 8 in the league standings, but it also came at a sensitive time when Alvaro Arbeloa was still finding his feet after the departure of Xabi Alonso.
Jose Mourinho, the Special One who coached Real Madrid to multiple titles, will hope to qualify for the round of 16, knowing the La Liga giants are not at their best currently.
PSG to lock horns with familiar foes
Holders PSG will be up against familiar foes, AS Monaco. Luis Enrique’s side will enter the fixture as firm favourites to enter the next round. Sébastien Pocognoli will have to produce two very special performances home and away to upset the all conquering champions from last season.
