2025/26 Champions League Play-off Draw Results: Mourinho Faces Real Madrid Again

(Champions League play-off draw results) - As expected, Real Madrid will meet Mourinho’s Benfica again in the 2025/26 Champions League play-off round.

On the evening of January 30 (Vietnam time), the UEFA Champions League play-off draw ceremony officially took place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

As anticipated, the highly awaited Champions League clash this year between Benfica and Real Madrid will happen again. Recently, Mourinho’s Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 in the final match of the C1 league phase, securing the last spot in the 2025/26 Champions League play-offs.

18:25: Champions League play-off draw results!

Dortmund vs Atalanta

Olympiacos vs Leverkusen

Galatasaray vs Juventus

Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid

Monaco vs PSG

Qarabag vs Newcastle

Benfica vs Real Madrid

Bodo Glimt vs Inter

18:15: Organizers announce the knockout play-off draw format

Organizers show a video explaining the knockout play-off draw format

18:00: The draw ceremony begins

Organizers present a video highlighting the most memorable moments of the 16 teams during the 2025/26 Champions League league phase.

This draw applies to teams ranked from 9th to 24th at the league phase stage. The top 8 teams in the standings automatically advance to the round of 16..

Teams participating in the Champions League knockout play-offs

The list of 16 teams confirmed after the league phase ended.

Seeded group

• Real Madrid (Spain)

• Inter Milan (Italy)

• Paris (France)

• Newcastle United (England)

• Juventus (Italy)

• Atletico Madrid (Spain)

• Atalanta (Italy)

• Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)

Unseeded group

• Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

• Olympiacos (Greece)

• Club Brugge (Belgium)

• Galatasaray (Turkey)

• Monaco (France)

• Qarabag (Azerbaijan)

• Bodø/Glimt (Norway)

• Benfica (Portugal)

Where to watch the draw?

The draw will be broadcast live on UEFA.com and the official UEFA Champions League app.

Draw venue

The ceremony is held at the House of European Football, Nyon, Switzerland.

Knockout play-off draw format

The matches are determined based on the following principles:

• Clubs are paired according to their league phase rankings, forming:

  • 4 seeded pairs: ranks 9–10, 11–12, 13–14, 15–16

  • 4 unseeded pairs: ranks 17–18, 19–20, 21–22, 23–24

• Pairing method:

  • Rank 9 or 10 faces rank 23 or 24

  • Rank 11 or 12 faces rank 21 or 22

  • Rank 13 or 14 faces rank 19 or 20

  • Rank 15 or 16 faces rank 17 or 18

Can teams from the same country face each other?

Yes. Teams can face clubs from the same nation, and even have rematches against opponents met during the league phase.

Knockout play-off match schedule

Matches will be played over two legs, with the seeded team hosting the second leg at home.

• First leg: February 17–18, 2026

• Second leg: February 24–25, 2026

Each team will generally play one match on Tuesday and one on Wednesday.

If there are stadium or city conflicts, UEFA will handle them according to the European Club Competitions Committee regulations and announce the official schedule after the draw.

Upcoming key dates for the 2025/26 Champions League

• Knockout play-offs: February 17,18 & 24,25, 2026

• Draw for round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals: February 27, 2026

• Round of 16: March 10,11 & 17,18, 2026

• Quarter-finals: April 7,8 & 14,15, 2026

• Semi-finals: April 28,29 & May 5,6, 2026

• Final: May 30, 2026 in Budapest