The 2025/26 Champions League knockout phase playoffs are set, and they've delivered some blockbuster ties. Following a dramatic final matchday that saw a goalkeeper's 98th-minute header reshape the entire table, 16 clubs now face two-legged battles for a place in the round of 16.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Milan — three of European football's heavyweights — all find themselves in the playoff round rather than sailing straight through to the last 16. The draw, held on 30 January 2026 in Nyon, paired them against opponents ranging from familiar rivals to continental underdogs.
Eight two-legged ties will be played on 17–18 and 24–25 February 2026. The winners advance to face the top 8 league phase qualifiers — Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, and Manchester City — in the round of 16. Headline fixtures: Real Madrid vs Benfica, PSG vs Monaco (all-French derby), Inter vs Bodø/Glimt. Final: 30 May 2026 at Puskás Aréna, Budapest.
All Eight Champions League Playoff Fixtures
The playoff draw paired the 16 clubs who finished 9th to 24th in the league phase. Seeded teams (9th–16th) play the second leg at home.
| Tie | Seeded (Home 2nd Leg) | Unseeded (Home 1st Leg) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid (9th) | Benfica (24th) |
| 2 | Inter (10th) | Bodø/Glimt (23rd) |
| 3 | Paris Saint-Germain (11th) | Monaco (21st) |
| 4 | Newcastle (12th) | Qarabağ (22nd) |
| 5 | Juventus (13th) | Galatasaray (20th) |
| 6 | Atlético Madrid (14th) | Club Brugge (19th) |
| 7 | Atalanta (15th) | Borussia Dortmund (17th) |
| 8 | Bayer Leverkusen (16th) | Olympiacos (18th) |
Playoff Rules
Each tie is decided over two legs. If aggregate is level after 180 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time, followed by penalties if needed. The away goals rule no longer applies — every goal counts equally regardless of where scored.
Benfica vs Real Madrid — The Headline Tie
Just days before the draw, Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a sensational 98th-minute header to seal a 4-2 victory over Real Madrid in their final league phase match. That goal didn't just earn Benfica a playoff spot — it knocked Real Madrid out of the automatic top 8.
José Mourinho's return to face his former club adds another layer of intrigue. Real Madrid, under Álvaro Arbeloa, will be desperate for revenge — Mbappé broke Ronaldo's record by scoring 12 goals in seven league phase matches. However, their collapse from a comfortable top 8 position raises real questions about defensive resilience.
PSG vs Monaco — French Derby with Title Implications
The defending Champions League holders find themselves in an all-French playoff after finishing 11th. Luis Enrique's PSG managed just one win in their final five matches. Monaco aren't in sparkling form either, having won just once in six matches since the new year — but they did beat PSG 1-0 earlier this season.
For football betting enthusiasts, this tie offers fascinating markets. Both teams scoring across the two legs looks highly probable. Use our accumulator calculator for multi-tie combined returns.
The Other Six Ties
Inter vs Bodø/Glimt
Norwegian underdogs Bodø/Glimt have already proven they belong — beating Manchester City 3-1 during the league phase. Inter represent a significant step up. The Italian giants finished 10th and carry experience of last season's final, where they were beaten 5-0 by PSG.
Newcastle vs Qarabağ
On paper, the most one-sided tie in the playoff round. Newcastle finished 12th with a strong defensive record. Eddie Howe's squad should have more than enough to progress comfortably.
Juventus vs Galatasaray
Galatasaray's home support at the RAMS Park is legendary. Juventus will need to manage the hostile environment in the first leg. Luciano Spalletti has improved Juventus, climbing seven places from their 2024/25 finish.
Atlético Madrid vs Club Brugge
Diego Simeone's Atlético finished 14th — a significant drop from 5th last season. Club Brugge drew 3-3 with Barcelona during the league phase. Atlético's knockout-round experience and Simeone's tactical nous in two-legged ties make them favourites.
Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund
Arguably the most evenly matched tie. Atalanta finished 15th, Dortmund 17th — separated by two points in the league phase table. A genuine coin flip.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos
Leverkusen endured a turbulent European campaign, finishing 16th. Olympiacos — reigning Europa Conference League champions — have shown they can compete at the highest level. Xabi Alonso's side should have enough quality across two legs.
Who Awaits in the Round of 16
The bracket structure is already set, so each playoff winner knows their two possible last-16 opponents.
| Playoff Winner | Possible R16 Opponents |
|---|---|
| Benfica or Real Madrid | Sporting CP or Manchester City |
| Inter or Bodø/Glimt | Sporting CP or Manchester City |
| PSG or Monaco | Chelsea or Barcelona |
| Newcastle or Qarabağ | Chelsea or Barcelona |
| Juventus or Galatasaray | Liverpool or Tottenham |
| Atlético Madrid or Club Brugge | Liverpool or Tottenham |
| Atalanta or Dortmund | Arsenal or Bayern Munich |
| Leverkusen or Olympiacos | Arsenal or Bayern Munich |
Champions League Outright Winner Odds
Arsenal's perfect eight-win league phase campaign has made them clear favourites at 4/1. Bayern Munich at 9/2 are close behind after a strong league phase that saw them finish second. Among playoff teams, PSG at 8/1 and Real Madrid at ~9/1 represent intriguing value for punters who believe these serial winners can find their best form when experience truly counts.
Last season proved league phase position matters little: PSG finished 15th in 2024/25 before winning the entire competition. The knockout playoffs add two extra matches for teams ranked 9th–24th — historically a marginal disadvantage but worth factoring in.
Popular Betting Markets for the Playoffs
- Qualification market:
- back which team advances over two legs. Newcastle to qualify against Qarabağ will be priced very short; Atalanta vs Dortmund much closer.
- Both teams to score (across both legs):
- rare for one team to keep a clean sheet across both legs. PSG vs Monaco and Juventus vs Galatasaray look particularly strong candidates.
- Over/under goals (aggregate):
- typically falls between 3 and 5. Atalanta vs Dortmund could push higher.
Key Dates — Champions League Calendar 2026
| Round | Dates |
|---|---|
| Playoff — 1st Legs | 17–18 February 2026 |
| Playoff — 2nd Legs | 24–25 February 2026 |
| Round of 16 Draw | 27 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 — Budapest | 30 May 2026 |
All matches kick off at either 17:45 or 20:00 GMT. UK coverage split between TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video.
The Top 8 — Already Through
| Pos | Team | Pts | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 24 | 8 wins from 8 — only perfect record |
| 2 | Bayern Munich | 21 | +13 goal difference, highest in tournament |
| 3 | Liverpool | 19 | 6 wins, strong late-phase form |
| 4 | Tottenham | 17 | Surprise 4th place, above City and Barça |
| 5 | Barcelona | 16 | Hansi Flick's side held nerve to stay in top 8 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 16 | Beat Napoli on final matchday to clinch spot |
| 7 | Sporting CP | 16 | Rose 16 places from last season's finish |
| 8 | Manchester City | 15 | Squeezed in on the final matchday |
Five English clubs in the top 8 is a remarkable achievement. Tottenham's 4th-place finish is perhaps the biggest surprise — they sit 14th in the domestic league but have thrived in continental competition.
What to Expect from the Playoffs
This year's playoff round carries an unusual amount of star power. Real Madrid, PSG, and Inter would normally cruise through the league phase. Uncertainty creates value.
Keep an eye on Atalanta vs Dortmund as the tie most likely to deliver goals and drama. Don't overlook Bodø/Glimt's ability to cause an upset against Inter — their 3-1 victory over Manchester City earlier in the campaign proved they can match Europe's elite. The road to Budapest starts here.
