The highly anticipated Champions League play-off draw is scheduled for today, Friday 30th January 2026, where sixteen clubs will discover their opponents in the crucial knockout phase of Europe's premier club competition. This draw specifically involves teams that finished between 9th and 24th place during the initial league phase, setting the stage for dramatic two-legged ties that will determine which eight sides progress to join the already-qualified top eight.
What Time is the Champions League Play-Off Draw?
The official draw ceremony will commence at 11:00 AM GMT today. The event will be hosted at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, a traditional venue for such European football draws. For fans eager to follow every moment, this timing allows for morning viewing across the United Kingdom and much of Europe.
Where to Watch the Draw on TV and Live Stream
Football enthusiasts in the UK can watch the draw unfold live on TNT Sport 1. For those preferring digital platforms, UEFA will provide a live stream through their official website and the dedicated Champions League mobile application, ensuring global accessibility. This multi-platform approach guarantees that supporters won't miss this pivotal moment in the tournament's progression.
How Does the Champions League Play-Off Draw Work?
The draw employs a sophisticated seeding system based entirely on final league phase positions. The sixteen participating clubs are divided into four seeded pairs and four unseeded pairs, creating predetermined matchups.
Seeded Pairings
- Clubs finishing in positions 9 and 10
- Clubs finishing in positions 11 and 12
- Clubs finishing in positions 13 and 14
- Clubs finishing in positions 15 and 16
Unseeded Pairings
- Clubs finishing in positions 17 and 18
- Clubs finishing in positions 19 and 20
- Clubs finishing in positions 21 and 22
- Clubs finishing in positions 23 and 24
The draw mechanism then pairs each seeded duo with a specific unseeded duo. For instance, clubs from positions 9 or 10 will face clubs from positions 23 or 24. Importantly, teams from the same national association can be drawn against each other, potentially creating domestic clashes even at this early knockout stage. This format adds an extra layer of intrigue and competitive tension.
English Clubs in the Mix
Five English clubs – Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester City – have already secured direct passage to the Round of 16 by finishing in the top eight of the league phase. However, Newcastle United finds itself among the teams awaiting today's draw, alongside European heavyweights like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. These clubs must now navigate the play-off round to earn their spot alongside the already-qualified English contingent.
Historical precedent suggests the play-off route, while challenging, can fuel a successful campaign. Paris Saint-Germain demonstrated this last season, using their play-off victory as a springboard to ultimately win the tournament, defeating Inter Milan convincingly in the final.
Key Dates for the Champions League Knockout Phase
The knockout phase schedule is now firmly established:
- Knockout Phase Play-Offs: 17th/18th & 24th/25th February 2026
- Round of 16: 10th/11th & 17th/18th March 2026
- Quarter-Finals: 7th/8th & 14th/15th April 2026
- Semi-Finals: 28th/29th April & 5th/6th May 2026
- Final: 30th May 2026
The subsequent draw for the Round of 16 is scheduled for Friday 27th February 2026. At that stage, the eight play-off winners will be joined by the eight automatic qualifiers from the league phase, completing the last sixteen lineup. Today's draw is therefore the critical first step in shaping the entire knockout bracket of the competition.
