The UEFA Champions League (UCL) Playoffs Round of 16 draw, held in Switzerland on January 30, 2026, has set the stage for several captivating matchups. Among the most anticipated is a rematch between Spanish giants Real Madrid and Portugal’s SL Benfica, a fixture that promises high drama given their recent encounter.
Real Madrid, who suffered a 4-2 defeat to Benfica just two days prior on January 28 in the group stage, now find themselves needing to overcome the Portuguese side in the playoff round. That prior loss saw Benfica secure their playoff spot as the 24th-ranked team, notably with a goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, under the guidance of coach Jose Mourinho. Real Madrid, conversely, missed out on an automatic qualification spot among the top eight teams, necessitating their participation in these playoffs.
Another significant pairing sees French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) drawn against fellow Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. PSG, who finished 11th in the group stage, enters the playoffs following a challenging period, having endured three consecutive defeats in the UCL. Monaco secured their place by finishing 21st in the group stage standings. Both teams will now battle for a coveted spot in the automatic Round of 16.
Teams ranked between 9th and 24th in the league stage of the UEFA Champions League were part of this playoff draw. These matchups will be contested over two legs, both home and away, scheduled between February 17 and 25. The victors of these playoff ties will advance to join the eight top-ranked teams who have already secured their places in the Round of 16.
Other notable draws from the event include: Newcastle United, the sole English team required to navigate the playoff stage after finishing 12th, will face Azerbaijan’s Qarabag FK. Spanish powerhouse Atletico Madrid, who finished 14th and are three points adrift of the top eight, were drawn against Belgian side Club Brugge. German clubs also learned their fate: Borussia Dortmund, who, like their opponents, suffered two recent UCL defeats, will play Italy’s Atalanta, while Bayer Leverkusen is set to take on Olympiacos.
Italian giants Inter Milan, currently topping their domestic league, will square off against Norway’s Bodo/Glimt, and Juventus will compete against Turkey’s Galatasaray. These playoff matches are crucial stepping stones for teams aiming to progress deeper into Europe’s premier club competition.
The eight clubs that secured automatic qualification to the Round of 16, bypassing the playoff stage, include four English teams: Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City. They are joined by Bayern Munich from Germany, Barcelona and Sporting, and Chelsea from England.
