UEFA Champions League Knockout Stage Draw Sets Stage for Historic Format Change

NYON, Switzerland — The UEFA Champions League knockout stage draw took place Friday at UEFA headquarters, marking the beginning of a new era for the world’s premier club soccer tournament. The 2024-25 season introduced a major format overhaul, expanding the knockout phase to include 24 teams instead of the traditional 16.

The draw, held at 6 a.m. ET, set the stage for an expanded playoff phase involving 16 teams, while the top eight group-stage finishers received a bye to the round of 16. Among the top seeds are perennial powerhouses like Manchester City, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, while surprise contenders such as Lille and PSV also secured their spots in the knockout rounds.

Under the new format, the playoff phase will feature home-and-away matches settled by aggregate scores. The first legs are scheduled for Feb. 11-12, with the second legs set for Feb. 18-19. The winners will join the top eight teams in the round of 16, with the final bracket draw set for Feb. 21.

UEFA’s revamped system has introduced a unique seeding process for the playoff phase. Teams are grouped into pots based on their group-stage standings, creating intriguing matchups. For example, Atalanta (ninth place) and Borussia Dortmund (10th) could face Sporting Clube (23rd) or Club Brugge (24th).

The Champions League final will be held on Saturday, May 31, at Munich‘s Allianz Arena. The expanded format has already delivered drama, with Manchester City surviving a must-win comeback and Real Madrid navigating key absences, including star forward Vinícius Júnior, who is suspended for their playoff clash against Brest.

Fans can stream the knockout stage matches on UEFA.com and other official platforms. The new format aims to increase competition and excitement, with more teams and matches than ever before in the tournament’s history.