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How does the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs draw work?

Just as it seemed as though supporters had got their heads around the new UEFA Champions League format in the 2024/25 season, the knockout phase play-offs are set to introduce another new element to the competition.

Although the top eight in the UEFA Champions League league phase qualify directly through to the knockout phase, those ranked 16th to 24th will be forced to contest play-offs.

We assess how the knockout phase play-offs draw will work.

UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs draw explainer

The draw for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs is scheduled to take place on Friday 31st January 2025.

The clubs finishing in ninth to 16th place in the league phase will be seeded, with the teams ranked 17th to 24th unseeded.

The seeded teams will be split into pairs and either be drawn into the silver or blue half of the draw, with the same process happening for the pairs of unseeded teams.

For example, the seeded teams ranked 9th and 10th in the league phase will be paired together, with one drawn into the silver half of the draw and the other allocated to the blue half.

This process will leave the following possible match-ups in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs draw:

Silver bracket

  • Monaco/Brest v PSG/Benfica
  • Sporting/Club Brugge v Atalanta/Dortmund
  • Celtic/Man City v Real Madrid/Bayern Munich
  • Feyenoord/Juventus v Milan/PSV

Blue bracket

  • Juventus/Feyenoord v PSV/Milan
  • Man City/Celtic v Bayern Munich/Real Madrid
  • Club Brugge/Sporting v Dortmund/Atalanta
  • Brest/Monaco v Benfica/PSG

The first-legs of the play-offs will take place on 11th or 12th February, with the return legs set for the following week on 18th or 19th February.

To bet on the UEFA Champions League, check out our betting hubs with everything you need to know including latest fixtures, odds, news, offers and guides.

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