UEFA Champions League Draw: Everything You Need to Know
The UEFA Champions League group stage has concluded, and the draw for the playoff round to determine the teams advancing to the Round of 16 will take place today at 12:00 CET in Nyon. Here’s all the essential information about the draw and subsequent dates:
Following the group stage:
- The top eight teams advance directly to the Round of 16.
- Teams ranked 9th to 24th enter the playoff round to compete for the remaining Round of 16 spots.
- Teams ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated from the competition.
Playoff Draw Format
The playoff draw is structured based on the teams’ final group stage rankings. Matchups are predetermined:
- 9th and 10th ranked teams face 23rd and 24th
- 11th and 12th face 21st and 22nd
- 13th and 14th face 19th and 20th
- 15th and 16th face 17th and 18th
Higher-ranked teams will play the second leg at home. Unlike previous seasons, teams from the same country and those who met in the group stage can be drawn against each other.
Key Dates
- Playoff first legs: February 11-12, 2025
- Playoff second legs: February 18-19, 2025
- Round of 16 draw: February 21, 2025 (including draws for quarter-finals and semi-finals)
The playoff round will determine the final 8 teams to join the top 8 from the group stage in the Round of 16. This new format adds excitement and unpredictability to the Champions League knockout stages.