The UEFA Champions League knockout round playoff draw has been completed at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, setting up a series of blockbuster encounters as Europe's elite clubs battle for a place in the Round of 16. The ceremony, held on January 30, 2026, produced several mouth-watering matchups that will captivate football fans worldwide.
The headline tie sees defending champions Real Madrid drawn against Portuguese giants Benfica in a repeat of their dramatic league phase encounter. José Mourinho's Benfica stunned Real Madrid 4-2 at the Estádio da Luz on the final matchday, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a sensational goal in the eighth minute of added time. That result dropped Los Blancos from third to ninth in the standings, forcing them into the playoff round. Now Mourinho returns to face his former club in what promises to be an explosive two-legged affair.
Paris Saint-Germain face a fascinating all-French showdown against Monaco in what could be one of the ties of the round. The defending French champions have made hard work of their bid to retain their European crown and must now overcome their Ligue 1 rivals across two legs to progress. Monaco will relish the opportunity to derail PSG's Champions League ambitions in this intriguing domestic derby.
Inter Milan, last season's beaten finalists, have been drawn against Norwegian sensation Bodø/Glimt in what has been the story of this year's competition. The tiny Arctic club have produced back-to-back upsets against Manchester City and Atlético Madrid on their debut in European club soccer's biggest competition, and will now test themselves against the Italian champions in a David versus Goliath encounter.
Newcastle United face a long trip to Azerbaijan to meet Qarabağ in the first leg before hosting the return at St James' Park. The Magpies will be confident of progressing but must not underestimate the challenge posed by the Azerbaijani champions who have proven themselves capable competitors in European football.
Juventus were paired with Turkish side Galatasaray in a tie that evokes memories of classic European encounters between these two historic clubs. The Bianconeri will need to be at their best against a passionate Galatasaray side who will create a hostile atmosphere in Istanbul for the first leg at the Rams Park.
Atlético Madrid face Club Brugge in a tie that should favor the Spanish side given their European pedigree, while Atalanta take on Borussia Dortmund in what promises to be an entertaining clash between two attack-minded teams known for their exciting style of play. Bayer Leverkusen, fresh from their historic unbeaten Bundesliga title triumph last season, meet Greek champions Olympiacos in what should be a straightforward tie on paper.
Meanwhile, the top eight finishers from the league phase have automatically qualified for the Round of 16, avoiding the playoff round entirely. This elite group includes Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, and Manchester City, all of whom will learn their last-16 opponents following the conclusion of the playoff ties.
The playoff first legs are scheduled for February 17-18, 2026, with the return fixtures taking place on February 24-25. Winners will advance to the Round of 16 draw on February 27, where they will discover which of the top eight teams they will face in the next phase of the competition.
The stakes could not be higher, with the ultimate prize being a place in the Champions League Final, scheduled for May 30, 2026, at the magnificent Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. The Hungarian capital will host the showpiece event for the first time, providing a spectacular backdrop for the culmination of Europe's premier club competition.
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