What teams will be in the UEFA Champions League 2025 play-offs?

The 2024–25 UEFA Champions League has introduced a new format, replacing the traditional group stage with a league phase. In this revamped structure, 36 teams compete in a single league table, each playing eight matches against different opponents. The top eight teams automatically advance to the Round of 16, while teams placed 9th to 24th enter the knockout phase play-offs to vie for the remaining spots in the last 16.

Teams Advancing Directly to the Round of 16

The following teams have secured direct qualification to the Round of 16 by finishing in the top eight positions:

• Liverpool: Demonstrated consistent performance throughout the league phase.
• Barcelona: Showcased their attacking prowess, securing a top-tier finish.
• Arsenal: Maintained a strong defensive record, ensuring their advancement.
• Inter Milan: Combined tactical discipline with offensive efficiency.
• Atlético Madrid: Utilized their trademark resilience to secure a top spot.
• Bayer Leverkusen: Impressed with dynamic play, earning a direct berth.
• Lille: Capitalized on key victories to finish among the elite eight.
• Aston Villa: Surprised many by clinching a direct qualification spot.

Knockout Phase Play-offs: Teams Competing for Round of 16 Berths

Teams finishing between 9th and 24th will participate in the knockout phase play-offs. The draw for these matchups is scheduled for January 31, 2025, in Nyon, Switzerland. The play-offs will determine the remaining eight teams to join the Round of 16.

Seeded Teams (9th to 16th Place Finishers)

• Atalanta (Italy): Finished 9th, showcasing a balanced approach throughout the league phase.
• Borussia Dortmund (Germany): Secured 10th place with a blend of youth and experience.
• Real Madrid (Spain): Ended 11th, with notable performances despite some inconsistencies.
• Bayern Munich (Germany): Finished 12th, displaying their trademark attacking football.
• Milan (Italy): Claimed 13th place, combining defensive solidity with strategic play.
• PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands): Secured 14th position through disciplined performances.
• Paris Saint-Germain (France): Finished 15th, overcoming early challenges to secure a seeded spot.
• Benfica (Portugal): Ended 16th, leveraging their home advantage in key matches.

Unseeded Teams (17th to 24th Place Finishers)

• Monaco (France): Finished 17th, with a mix of promising displays and missed opportunities.
• Brest (France): Secured 18th place, surprising many with their resilience.
• Feyenoord (Netherlands): Ended 19th, showing flashes of brilliance.
• Juventus (Italy): Finished 20th, facing challenges but remaining competitive.
• Celtic (Scotland): Secured 21st place, with notable home performances.
• Manchester City (England): Ended 22nd, a surprising position for the English champions.
• Sporting CP (Portugal): Finished 23rd, displaying tactical acumen.
• Club Brugge (Belgium): Secured 24th place, rounding out the play-off contenders.

Upcoming Play-off Draw and Match Details

The play-off draw will pair seeded teams against unseeded teams, with seeded teams hosting the second leg. The first legs are scheduled for February 11–12, 2025, followed by the second legs on February 18–19, 2025. The winners will advance to the Round of 16, joining the eight teams that qualified directly.

Potential High-Profile Clashes

The play-offs could feature marquee matchups, notably Real Madrid potentially facing Manchester City. Real Madrid's manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has expressed concerns about the prospect of facing such a formidable opponent at this stage.

What You Need to Know About the Champions League Play-offs

• The 2024–25 season features a new league phase format, replacing the traditional group stage.
• Teams placed 9th to 24th in the league phase enter the knockout phase play-offs.
• The play-off draw is set for January 31, 2025, in Nyon, Switzerland.
• Seeded teams (9th to 16th) will face unseeded teams (17th to 24th) in two-legged ties.
• First legs are scheduled for February 11–12, 2025; second legs on February 18–19, 2025.
• Winners of the play-offs will join the top eight teams in the Round of 16.
• Potential high-profile clashes include Real Madrid vs. Manchester City.

As the Champions League progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the outcomes of these pivotal play-off matches, which will set the stage for the thrilling knockout rounds ahead.