May 28, 2011; London, ENGLAND; FC Barcelona players from left Victor Valdes , Gerard Pique , Xavi Hernandez and Eric Abidal celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Manchester United 3-1 in the 2011 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Walter Luger/GEPA via USA TODAY Sports

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UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Playoff Round Draw: Fixtures, Format and Key Dates

Fans can expect drama and plenty of fireworks in late August as the final Champions League places are decided with these ties.

The stage is set for the final hurdle before the UEFA Champions League 2015/26 league phase. The draw for the 2025/26 playoff round was conducted on Monday, August 4 at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The playoff round features 14 teams competing across two separate paths – the Champions Path and the League Path

Twenty-nine clubs have already secured their places in the 36-team UEFA Champions League league phase. The remaining seven spots will be filled by the winners of the upcoming two-legged playoff ties. The two-legged ties will take place on 19/20 and 26/27 August.

Just four teams have won the #UCL having started in the qualifying rounds… 😲 pic.twitter.com/mGXvgMHssW
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 4, 2025

How the Champions League Playoff Round Works

The Champions Path consists of clubs that won their respective domestic leagues but are not granted direct entry to the league phase. On the other hand, the League Path includes runners-up and third-placed finishers from stronger leagues.

Each tie is played over two legs (home and away) and the aggregate winner over the two legs progresses to the Champions League. The seven losing sides will drop into the UEFA Europa League league phase.

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Champions Path Fixtures

PFC Ludogorets 1945/Ferencvárosi TC vs KF Shkëndija /Qarabağ FK
KKS Lech Poznań/FK Crvena Zvezda vs FC Dynamo Kyiv/Pafos FC
FK Bodø/Glimt vs SK Sturm Graz
Celtic FC vs FC Kairat Almaty/ŠK Slovan Bratislava
FC Basel 1893 vs Malmö FF/F.C. Copenhagen

Seeded teams in bold.

League Path Fixtures

Feyenoord/Fenerbahçe SK vs OGC Nice/SL Benfica
Rangers FC/FC Viktoria Plzeň vs FC Salzburg/Club Brugge KV

Seeded teams in bold.

Play-off round draw set ✅

⚽️ Match dates: 19/20 and 26/27 August#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/JtoL95M0KL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 4, 2025

UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Playoff Round Key Dates

First qualifying round: July 8/9 and 15/16 2025
Second qualifying round: July 22/23 and 29/30 2025
Third qualifying round: August 5/6 and 12 2025
Play-offs: August 19/20 and 26/27 2025

ALSO READ: UEFA Changes Champions League Home Advantage Rule in Knockout Stages

With the coveted Champions League spots on the line, Europe’s clubs are just two games away from the continental elite. Fans can expect drama, intensity and plenty of fireworks in late August as the final Champions League places are decided with these ties.

Champions League

UEFA Champions League

Abhinav Goel

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.