The UEFA Champions League knockout phase is fast approaching, with fixtures set to kick off on Feb. 11.
Following the new-look group phase introduced this year, the knockout phase also brings some changes to its structure.
Instead of going straight into the traditional round of 16, the competition will feature a knockout phase play-off. In this stage, the teams that finished ninth to 16th in the group phase will face off against those that placed 17th to 24th, with each tie played over two legs.
The winners of these play-offs will then advance to the round of 16, where they will meet the top eight finishers from the group stage. From there, the competition will follow its familiar format, with two-legged knockout ties leading up to the final on May 31.
Below, we've outlined the matchups for each knockout round, the fixture dates, and the potential paths teams could take as they chase Champions League glory.
The 2025 Champions League Knockout Teams
Liverpool and FC Barcelona were the first teams to secure qualification for the Champions League round of 16.
Liverpool has been dominant, winning seven of its group phase matches. Barcelona, on the other hand, booked its spot in dramatic fashion with a stunning late comeback against Benfica. Trailing 4-1, Barcelona staged a miraculous recovery to win 5-4 with the final kick of the match.
Manchester City left it until the final day to secure qualification. Pep Guardiola's side, which won the tournament in 2023, struggled in the group phase, managing just three wins from eight games.
Dinamo Zagreb, VfB Stuttgart, Shakhtar Donetsk, Bologna, Crvena zvezda, SK Sturm Graz, Sparta Praha, RB Leipzig, Girona, RB Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys have all been eliminated.
Below is a list of the teams that have qualified for both the round of 16 and the knockout phase play-offs, along with details of how they secured their spots.
Seeded in Round of 16 (Guaranteed to Finish 1-8 in Group Phase)LiverpoolFC BarcelonaArsenalInterAtletico MadridLeverkusenLilleAston VillaSeeded in Knockout Phase Play-Offs (Guaranteed to Finish 9-16 in Group Phase)AtalanataDortmundReal MadridBayern MunichAC MilanPSVPSGBenficaUnseeded in Knockout Phase Play-Offs (Guaranteed to Finish 17-24 in Group Phase)MonacoBrestFeyenoordJuventusCelticManchester CitySporting LisbonClub BruggeChampions League Bracket Breakdown: Draw and Format
The draw for the 2024/25 Champions League knockout phase play-offs will take place on Jan. 31.
The potential opponents for teams that finished between 9th and 24th in the group phase are determined by pre-defined pairings based on their final positions. For instance, the teams finishing 9th and 10th will face those that finished 23rd and 24th, while the 11th and 12th-placed teams will be matched against the sides that ended 21st and 22nd, and so on.
The draw begins with the unseeded teams, assigning each team from the unseeded pairings to one of the corresponding pre-determined positions in the bracket. The process starts with the teams ranked 23rd and 24th and progresses upward, concluding with those ranked 17th and 18th.
Teams seeded from first to eighth will have to wait until a second draw on February 21 to find out their opponents in the last-16.
Unlike in previous years, where teams from the same country were kept apart in the initial draw, clubs can now face domestic rivals—or teams they already met in the league phase—during the knockout play-offs and beyond. The bracket and seeding system are also designed so that higher seeds generally have an easier path to the final.
Ahead of the conclusion of the group stage, here’s a table outlining the current positions and corresponding seed numbers assigned to each team for clarity.
Position/Seed
Team
1
Liverpool
2
Barcelona
3
Arsenal
4
Inter Milan
5
Atletico Madrid
6
Leverkusen
7
Lille
8
Aston Villa
9
Atalanta
10
Dortmund
11
Real Madrid
12
Bayern Munich
13
AC Milan
14
PSV
15
PSG
16
Benfica
17
Monaco
18
Brest
19
Feyenoord
20
Juventus
21
Celtic
22
Manchester City
23
Sporting Lisbon
24
Club Brugge
Key Contenders for the 2025 Champions League Title
Having enjoyed a near-perfect group phase, Liverpool are, unsurprisingly, among the favorites to win this year’s Champions League. The Reds have been a force to be reckoned with, dispatching some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, with apparent ease.
However, writing off Real Madrid—who have won the competition a record 15 times—would be a mistake.
Although Carlo Ancelotti’s side has not been at its best this season, their wealth of experience on the biggest stages, undeniable quality, and the sheer fear they instill in opponents mean they are always a threat, no matter the circumstances.
Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Bayern Munich are also likely to be in the mix, while reigning Europa League winners Atalanta could emerge as a dark horse.
Since clinching Europe’s second-tier prize last season, the Black and Blues, led by their impressive front three of Ademola Lookman, Charles De Ketelaere, and Mateo Retegui, have been firing on all cylinders. With their attack in full flow, Atalanta could now have their sights set on making a serious run in the Champions League.
Champions League 2024/25: Key Dates and Schedule
As mentioned, the knockout phase play-offs in this year’s Champions League begin on Feb. 11, with the final scheduled for May 31.
However, there are plenty of other important dates in between that you’ll want to mark on your calendar to stay up to date with all the action in European soccer’s premier competition.
Here are all the key dates for this year’s tournament:
Event/Round
Date
Knockout Phase Play-Offs Draw
Jan. 31, 2025
Knockout Phase Play-Offs
Feb. 11-12 and Feb. 18-19, 2025
Round of 16 Draw
Feb. 21, 2025
Round of 16
Mar. 4-5 and Mar. 11-12, 2025
Quarterfinals
Apr. 8-9 and Apr. 15-16, 2025
Semifinals
Apr. 29-30 and May 6-7, 2025
Final
May 31, 2025
