UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Playoff Draw: Complete Guide
The UEFA Champions League league stage concluded Wednesday, determining half of the last-16 teams. Eight teams have secured automatic qualification under the new format, while the remaining spots will be decided through two-legged playoffs.
Playoff Format and Structure
Teams finishing between 9th and 24th place will compete in home-and-away knockout matches. Seeded teams (9th-16th) will face unseeded teams (17th-24th), with seeded teams typically hosting the return leg.
The matchups are predetermined based on league stage performance. For instance, 9th and 10th-placed teams will face those in 23rd or 24th positions, while 11th and 12th-placed teams meet 21st or 22nd-placed opponents.
Qualified Teams
Seeded Teams:
– Atalanta (ITA)
– Borussia Dortmund (GER)
– Real Madrid (ESP)
– Bayern Munich (GER)
– AC Milan (ITA)
– PSV Eindhoven (NED)
– Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
– Benfica (POR)
Unseeded Teams:
– Monaco (FRA)
– Brest (FRA)
– Feyenoord (NED)
– Juventus (ITA)
– Celtic (SCO)
– Manchester City (ENG)
– Sporting CP (POR)
– Club Brugge (BEL)
Draw Details and Schedule
The playoff draw takes place on January 31 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, starting at 11am GMT. Fans can watch the live stream on SonyLiv app and website or UEFA’s official platform.
Key Dates:
– First leg matches: February 11/12
– Second leg matches: February 18/19
– Round of 16 draw: February 21
– Final in Munich: May 31
Draw Procedure
Eight bowls will contain seeded and unseeded teams paired by league positions. The process begins with unseeded teams, followed by seeded teams, creating the knockout round matchups. Teams from the same country can face each other, and previous league phase opponents may meet again.
Watch the Champions League playoff draw to discover exciting matchups as teams battle for spots in the prestigious Round of 16.
