UEFA Champions League Draw: Real Madrid vs Benfica, PSG vs Monaco Headline Knockout Ties

The UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff draw was conducted on January 30, 2026, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

Fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid were paired once again with Benfica, just days after the Portuguese side forced them into the playoffs with a dramatic 4-2 victory.

Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored in the eighth minute of added time to seal Benfica’s win and send Madrid into the knockout play-offs. Real Madrid could yet face Manchester City in the next round if they progress.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain were drawn against Monaco in an all-French playoff. PSG were also dropped to playoffs during their title-winning campaign last season.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan, last season’s finalists, will take on Bodo/Glimt. The Norwegian club’s rise has been one of the surprise stories this season, with back-to-back wins against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.

The winners of each two-legged tie will advance to the Champions League round of 16.

UEFA Champions League Playoff Draw

• Benfica vs Real Madrid

• Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan

• Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain

• Qarabag vs Newcastle

• Galatasaray vs Juventus

• Brugge vs Atletico Madrid

• Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta

• Olympiakos vs Bayer Leverkusen

UEFA Champions League Playoff Schedule

The first legs of the knockout phase playoffs will be played on February 17-18, with the second legs scheduled for February 24-25.

Teams Directly Qualified For Round of 16

The following clubs have qualified automatically for the round of 16 by finishing in the top eight:

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, FC Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, Manchester City.

(With AP Inputs)