Real Madrid will meet Benfica in playoffs just days after the Portuguese side forced them into knockout round
Defending champions PSG face Monaco in all-French tie, while Inter Milan take on surprise package Bodo/Glimt
The two-legged playoffs will be played on February 17-18 and February 24-25
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)
