Europe’s elite on edge as Champions League draw looms large

The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is moving beyond the league phase and into the high-stakes knockout rounds. On January 29, all matches of the final league stage were played simultaneously, finalizing the standings and setting the stage for the tournament’s most thrilling phase.

The top eight teams in the standings have secured a direct path to the Round of 16, skipping the playoff round. Meanwhile, teams that finished between 9th and 24th place will compete in the playoffs, with eight teams advancing to complete the Round of 16 bracket.

When is the Champions League 2024/25 Playoff Draw?

The draw for the Champions League knockout playoffs will take place on Friday, January 31, at 6:00 AM EST at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

Atleti finish in 5th after 5 wins in a row 🔴⚪️#UCL pic.twitter.com/YNRk1vBuJl — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

How does the Champions League Playoff Draw work?

With the top eight teams already locked into the Round of 16, the playoff draw determines the matchups for the remaining eight spots. The key details of the draw include:

The matchups will be based on a ranking system: the 9th or 10th place teams will face the 23rd or 24th, the 11th or 12th will play the 21st or 22nd, the 13th or 14th will meet the 19th or 20th, and the 15th or 16th will take on the 17th or 18th.

Higher-ranked teams (9th-16th) will host the second leg, while lower-ranked teams (17th-24th) will play the first leg at home.

How is the draw conducted?

The draw consists of eight groups, each containing a set of teams based on the final league standings:

The lower-ranked teams (23rd, 24th, 21st, 22nd, etc.) are drawn first and placed in pre-assigned slots.

Then, the higher-ranked teams (15th, 16th, 13th, 14th, etc.) are drawn to determine their matchups.

The first team drawn from each pair is placed in the silver section, while the second team goes to the blue section.

3 goals ✅

3 points ✅

Real Madrid finish in the knockout phase play-offs ⚪️#UCL pic.twitter.com/soEJdNLdTZ — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

When are the Champions League Playoff matches scheduled to be played?

The first-leg matches are scheduled for February 11 and 12, with the return legs taking place on February 18 and 19. UEFA has structured the schedule so that each team plays one match on a Tuesday and the other on a Wednesday. The full schedule, including kickoff times, will be confirmed on the afternoon of the draw. In case of scheduling conflicts within the same city or stadium, UEFA’s Club Competitions Committee will apply its standard principles to resolve the issue.

Are there any restrictions in the Playoff Draw?

Unlike earlier stages of the tournament, there are no restrictions on matchups in the playoff round. This means that teams from the same country, or even teams that faced each other in the league phase, can be drawn against each other.

When are the draws for the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, and Semifinals?

UEFA will conduct the draws for the Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals on February 21. This will include draws for the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, determining the full knockout stage pathway.

Can the top two teams face each other before the final?

No. The top two finishers from the league phase will be placed on opposite sides of the bracket, ensuring they can only meet in the final. Meanwhile, the remaining top-eight teams will be paired and distributed throughout the bracket in a structure similar to a tennis tournament. The final layout of the knockout stage will be confirmed after the February 21 draw.

WE ARE TOP 8! 💫🖤❤️ pic.twitter.com/xovDfHZFJQ — Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) January 29, 2025

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