Champions League Knockout Draw Date, Possible Matches, Format and Bracket

There is much limelight soon to be played by a draw in the knockout playoff round from the new format of the UEFA Champions League.

Details in the Draw

Date and Time: The draw for the knockout playoff round will take place on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 6 a.m. ET / 11 a.m. UK at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

Participating Teams

Only 16 teams that complete the 9 to 24 position will make it in the draw. The top eight teams will qualify automatically for the round of 16. From the 25th to 36th teams are out.

League Positions Significance

League standings have significant implications for the knockout bracket. Unlike previous seasons, where draws were open, the new seeding system means that the highest-placed teams cannot face each other until the later stages of the knockout round.

For instance, if Liverpool and Barcelona finish first and second, they cannot play each other until the final. Teams finishing third and fourth, such as Arsenal and Internazionale, can only play Liverpool or Barcelona in the semifinals.

But the surprises of the league phase have established fascinating matchups. Manchester City ending 22nd could lead them against Real Madrid or even Bayern Munich, while Paris Saint-Gerger could be up against either Barcelona or Liverpool in the round of 16.

Knockout Draw Mechanism

Teams will be paired according to the final position attained (9th with 10th, 11th with 12th, etc.) and each pair drawn into opposite halves of the bracket. The unseeded teams will be drawn first from positions 23rd and 24th down to 17th and 18th. The first team drawn from each pair will take the first half of the bracket, and the other goes to the second half.

The seeded teams will be drawn at positions 15th downwards through to 9th and 10th just like this,

Country Protection 
 
There is no protection for the countries in the round of knock-outs, therefore any team drawn would now come out from the same country. Such that PSG draws AS Monaco or Brest. 

Knockout Round Schedule 

First Legs: Feb 11 – 12 2025. 

Second legs: Feb18-19, 2025.

Each club will play once on a Tuesday and once on a Wednesday.

Next Phase for Top Eight Clubs

In the next phase, after the knockout playoff round, the top eight clubs will again have four possible opponents with whom to face in the upcoming stage. For instance, Liverpool and Barcelona can still play any one of the teams coming in at 15th to 18th position (PSG, Benfica, Monaco, or Brest).

Draws to Look Out for

Round of 16 Draw: Friday, February 21, 2025. The first eight teams are drawn into the opposite halves of the bracket and play against the winners of the knockout playoff ties.

Quarterfinals and Semifinals: After the round of 16, a draw will decide the home teams for the second leg of the quarterfinals and semifinals, which will not be based on league phase seeding.