Champions League Play-Offs 2026: Schedule, Teams, and What to Expect

The Champions League knockout phase play-offs are underway, offering a second chance for teams to reach the last 16. This new stage of the competition, introduced to accommodate an expanded format, sees teams that finished between ninth and 24th in the league phase battle for a coveted spot alongside the top eight automatic qualifiers. The first legs are being played on February 17th and 18th, with the second legs following a week later.

How the Play-Offs Work

The play-off draw, held on January 28th and updated on January 30th, paired teams based on their league phase finish. Teams ranked 9th to 16th were seeded, while those ranked 17th to 24th were unseeded. Seeded teams were drawn against unseeded opponents, with the advantage of playing the second leg at home. As detailed by the BBC, this structure aims to provide a fair contest while acknowledging the stronger performance of the higher-ranked teams.

Key Matchups and Early Results

Several high-profile teams are involved in the play-offs. Notably, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who finished 11th, were paired with Monaco. Real Madrid, 15-time winners, face a reunion with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica. TechRadar highlights the unexpected nature of these teams being in the play-off round, given their historical dominance.

As of February 17th, 2026, a significant upset is brewing in Turkey, where Galatasaray currently leads Juventus 5-2. According to RTÉ, this result indicates the potential for further surprises in the play-offs.

Schedule and Viewing Options

The first legs of the play-offs took place on February 17th, and 18th. The second legs will be played one week later. Viewers can find streaming options through various broadcasters, including Virgin Media Play and RTÉ Player in Ireland. TechRadar provides a comprehensive guide to watching the matches online from different regions.

What’s Next?

The eight winners of the play-offs will advance to the last 16, where they will join the top eight finishers from the league phase. From that point onward, the competition will follow a traditional two-legged knockout format, culminating in the final. The play-offs add an exciting new dimension to the Champions League, providing a thrilling path to glory for teams determined to compete at the highest level.