Champions League Knockout Phase: Essential Details and Live Stream Information

omidbasir- The knockout phase of the Champions League is on the horizon, following an exhilarating conclusion to the 2025-26 league phase. A particularly memorable highlight was Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s stunning last-minute goal against Real Madrid, a moment that secured progression for José Mourinho’s squad.

Now, the 24 teams for the knockout bracket have been confirmed, with 16 teams competing in the playoff round for the opportunity to join the top eight teams in the Round of 16. Below is a comprehensive guide concerning the upcoming draw, including dates, viewing options, and the seeding arrangements.

**Champions League Draw Details**
**Date:** January 30, 2026
**Time:** 11 AM GMT / 6 AM ET
**Live Stream:** Available on uefa.com, TNT Sports, and Paramount+

The draw for the Champions League knockout phase will occur on January 30, 2026, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. Fans in the United Kingdom can tune in at 11 AM GMT, while those in the United States can watch at 6 AM ET. The draw will be streamed live for free on UEFA’s official website and the UEFA Champions League app. Additionally, TNT Sports will broadcast it in the UK, with a free stream on its YouTube channel, and Paramount+ will cover the event in the U.S.

**Seeding for the Knockout Phase**
Teams that finished in positions nine to 16 are designated as seeded for the knockout playoff round, while those in positions 17 to 24 are unseeded. The seeded teams will be paired against the unseeded teams according to their league rankings. For example, if Real Madrid is drawn against Bodo/Glimt, Inter will face Benfica. It is also important to note that teams cannot be drawn against others from a different pairing.

**Seeded Pairs**
– Real Madrid (9) or Inter (10) vs. Bodo/Glimt (23) or Benfica (24)
– PSG (11) or Newcastle United (12) vs. Monaco (21) or Qarabag (22)
– Juventus (13) or Atletico Madrid (14) vs. Club Brugge (19) or Galatasaray (20)
– Atalanta (15) or Bayer Leverkusen (16) vs. Borussia Dortmund (17) or Olympiacos (18)

**Round of 16 Format**
The teams that finished in the top eight positions during the league phase will advance to the Round of 16 and will be seeded for this stage. The winners from the knockout playoff ties will be unseeded for the Round of 16. The potential matchups are as follows:

– Monaco or Qarabag / PSG or Newcastle vs. Barcelona or Chelsea
– Club Brugge or Galatasaray / Juventus or Atletico vs. Liverpool or Tottenham
– Bodo/Glimt or Benfica / Real Madrid or Inter vs. Sporting or Manchester City
– Borussia Dortmund or Olympiacos / Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal or Bayern Munich

**Knockout Games Schedule**
The knockout phase playoff games will be played over two legs on February 17/18 and February 24/25, 2026. The Round of 16 will also consist of two legs, scheduled for March 10/11 and March 17/18, 2026. The complete schedule is as follows:

| Stage | Date(s) |
|—————————|——————————-|
| Knockout Phase Playoffs | February 17/18 & 24/25, 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 |

Stay tuned for further updates and enjoy the thrilling matches ahead!