The UEFA Champions League playoffs and knockout rounds draw is set for Friday, September 30, 2025, determining the matchups and bracket for the rest of the competition. This year marks the second year of the Champions League's new, expanded format. After playing eight 'league phase' matches, the top eight teams advance directly to the Round of 16, while the ninth through 24th-placed finishers face off in two-legged playoffs to decide who joins them. The first legs of the playoff matchups will be played on February 17 and 18, with the return matches set for February 24 and 25. Here's what you need to know for Friday's draw: Date: Friday, September 30, 2025 Time: 6 a.m. ET Live stream: UEFA.com According to UEFA, the draw works as follows: Clubs are paired based on their positions at the end of the league phase, forming four seeded pairs and four unseeded pairs. The seeded pairs are then drawn against the unseeded pairs, creating specific matchups. The fixtures for the Round of 16 are determined by a separate draw, considering the positions of the teams at the end of the league phase and the winners of the knockout phase playoffs. As of the latest standings, the following teams have advanced: 1. Arsenal 2. Bayern Munich 3. Liverpool 4. Tottenham 5. Barcelona 6. Chelsea 7. Sporting CP 8. Manchester City 9. Real Madrid 10. Inter Milan 11. Paris Saint-Germain 12. Newcastle United 13. Juventus 14. Atlético Madrid 15. Atalanta 16. Bayer Leverkusen 17. Borussia Dortmund 18. Olympiacos 19. Club Brugge 20. Galatasaray 21. Monaco 22. Qarabağ 23. Bodø/Glimt 24. Benfica The Champions League knockout round schedule is as follows: Playoff round: First legs: February 17 and 18 Second legs: February 24 and 25 Round of 16: First legs: March 10 and 11 Second legs: March 17 and 18 Quarterfinals: First legs: April 7 and 8 Second legs: April 14 and 15 Semifinals: First legs: April 28 and 29 Second legs: May 5 and 6 Final: May 30 in Budapest
