Champions League Knockout Draw: Date, Time, And Potential Fixtures

The UEFA Champions League knockout playoff round is just around the corner, marking a crucial stage that will determine the path teams must take to advance further in the tournament.

But which teams are participating? How does the league phase ranking impact the draw? And when is the next exciting draw happening? Here’s everything you need to know.

When is the Champions League Knockout Draw?

The Champions League knockout draw will take place on Friday, January 31 at 6 a.m. ET / 12 p.m. Nigeria time at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

Who’s Involved in the Draw?

Only the 16 teams that finished between 9th and 24th in the league phase are eligible for this draw. The top eight teams have already secured their places directly into the Round of 16, while teams finishing 25th to 36th are eliminated.

Why Does League Phase Ranking Matter?

The final league standings play a key role in determining the matchups for the knockout stage. Unlike previous seasons, where the draw was random, the new seeding system ensures that the highest-ranked teams avoid facing each other until later rounds, maintaining a fair competitive balance.

Examples:

Liverpool and Barcelona, finishing first and second, can’t meet until the final.
Arsenal and Internazionale, placed third and fourth, won’t face Liverpool or Barcelona until the semifinals.
Unexpected results, such as Manchester City (22nd) and Paris Saint-Germain finishing lower than expected, could lead to early clashes between heavyweights.

For example, Man City (22nd) might face either Real Madrid (11th) or Bayern Munich (12th). PSG could be paired against Barcelona or Liverpool in the Round of 16, should they progress.

How Does the Knockout Draw Work?

The knockout draw follows a structured pairing system:

Teams are paired based on their league positions (e.g., 9th vs 10th, 11th vs 12th, and so on).
Each pair will be placed in opposite halves of the knockout bracket.
The unseeded teams (17th-24th) will be drawn first, determining their position in the bracket.
Seeded teams (9th-16th) will follow, ensuring lower-ranked teams face higher-ranked opponents.

Note: The higher-ranked team plays the second leg at home.

Will There Be Country Protection?

No, clubs from the same country can face each other starting from this round. For example, PSG could play AS Monaco or Brest.

Potential Second Leg Dates

The second leg of the knockout playoff round is scheduled for February 18-19, 2025. Each team will play one match on Tuesday and the other on Wednesday.

What Happens to the Top Eight Clubs?

After the knockout playoff round, the top eight league finishers will still have four possible opponents for the Round of 16.

For example, Liverpool and Barcelona could meet teams like PSG, Benfica, Monaco, or Brest. These matchups will be determined by the playoff round results, ensuring a fair distribution across the bracket.

When Is the Round of 16 Draw?

The draw for the Round of 16 will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025. The top eight teams will be drawn into the bracket, ensuring that Liverpool and Barcelona remain in separate halves.