The UEFA Champions League 2026-27 knockout phase play-off round first legs are played on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 February 2027. This intermediate knockout round, introduced with the new league phase format in 2024-25, sits between the league phase and the Round of 16 and is contested by the clubs that finished between ninth and 24th in the 36-team league table. Eight two-legged ties are played over two matchweeks, with the winners progressing to the Round of 16 to join the eight clubs that qualified directly from the top of the league phase.
What is the Champions League Knockout Play-off Round?
The Champions League knockout phase play-off is the entry point to the knockout stages for clubs finishing in the lower half of the new expanded league phase. Under the format introduced for the 2024-25 season, 36 clubs play eight matches each in a single league table (four home, four away against different opponents). The top eight teams qualify directly for the Round of 16, positions 9 to 24 enter the knockout phase play-off round, and positions 25 to 36 are eliminated from European competition entirely.
In the knockout play-off round, the 16 qualifying clubs are drawn into eight two-legged ties. The eight teams finishing in positions 9 to 16 are seeded and will not meet each other in the play-off round. They are drawn against the unseeded eight teams from positions 17 to 24. The higher-seeded team in each tie is guaranteed to play the second leg at home. The aggregate winners progress to the Round of 16 as unseeded teams, entering an unseeded draw against the eight clubs that qualified directly.
When are the Knockout Play-off Round First Legs 2026-27?
The first legs are played on Tuesday 16 February and Wednesday 17 February 2027. Four matches are scheduled on each evening, with kick-off at 8pm central European time (7pm GMT). The second legs follow a week later, on Tuesday 23 February and Wednesday 24 February 2027. Aggregate winners progress to the Round of 16 draw, typically held the Friday after the second legs, with Round of 16 first legs played in early March and second legs in mid-March.
Where are the Knockout Play-off Round First Legs?
Matches are hosted at the home grounds of whichever clubs are drawn to play the first leg at home. In the two-legged format, each club plays one leg at home, with the higher-seeded team always having home advantage in the second leg. Venues across Europe’s top leagues host the matches, ranging from smaller clubs that have broken into the top 24 to established giants who finished outside the top eight.
Key Contenders
The knockout play-off round typically features a mix of heavyweights that under-performed in the league phase and well-drilled mid-ranking European sides. In the 2024-25 edition, clubs such as Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan all passed through the play-off round on their way deeper into the competition. Recent editions have seen clubs including Real Sociedad, Feyenoord, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven and Juventus compete at this stage.
The expanded format has made the play-off round one of the most unpredictable phases of the competition, because a single poor league phase run can put a major European name against a team they would traditionally expect to meet later, and the draw seeding gives clubs in positions 9 to 16 a modest buffer without eliminating the risk of a tough tie.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, every Champions League knockout play-off first leg is broadcast on TNT Sports and streamed via discovery+. In the United States, Paramount+ holds the rights with selected matches also shown on CBS. In Canada, DAZN carries every game. In Germany, Amazon Prime Video shows the Tuesday picks and DAZN carries the rest. Movistar Plus+ covers Spain, Sky Italia and Amazon Prime Video Italy share Italian rights, and Canal+ broadcasts in France. Across Asia, beIN Sports, Sony Sports Network (India) and Astro (Malaysia) carry coverage.
History and Records
The knockout play-off round in its current form debuted in the 2024-25 season alongside the Swiss-style league phase, replacing the old group stage. Before 2024, the Champions League had no intermediate knockout round between the group stage and the Round of 16. UEFA introduced the format to provide additional jeopardy and more high-stakes matches across the competition, and to ensure every club plays more games against differing opponents before the knockout stages begin.
Real Madrid hold the all-time Champions League record with 15 titles, followed by AC Milan with seven and Liverpool and Bayern Munich with six each. The current defending champions enter the 2026-27 knockout rounds looking to retain the trophy.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for Champions League knockout play-off first legs are sold by the home clubs through their official ticketing channels, usually with priority access for members and season-ticket holders before any general sale. Prices vary significantly between clubs and stadia, from around 40 euros for smaller-market sides to more than 150 euros at the biggest stadiums. European ticketing is typically capped in pricing under UEFA rules to ensure accessible away-fan allocations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Champions League Knockout Play-off Round First Legs?
Tuesday 16 February and Wednesday 17 February 2027, with second legs the following week on 23 and 24 February.
What is the Knockout Play-off Round?
A two-legged knockout round for clubs finishing in positions 9 to 24 of the Champions League league phase, with the winners progressing to the Round of 16.
How can I watch the Knockout Play-off Round?
On TNT Sports and discovery+ in the UK, Paramount+ and CBS in the US, DAZN in Canada, and a range of broadcasters across Europe and Asia.
Who won the last Champions League?
The holders of the 2025-26 Champions League trophy enter the 2026-27 knockout stages as defending champions.