Champions League Play-off Round: Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus, and Atalanta Advance

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase is taking shape after a compelling play-off round concluded on February 25th, 2026. Real Madrid, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Atalanta all successfully navigated their ties to secure berths in the Round of 16.

Play-off Round Results

The first legs of the play-off round were held on February 17th and 18th, with the return legs taking place on February 24th and 25th. Several high-profile clubs were in action, battling for a coveted spot in the next stage of the competition.

• Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
• Benfica vs. Real Madrid
• AS Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain
• Galatasaray vs. Juventus
• Club Brugge vs. Atlético Madrid
• FK Qarabag vs. Newcastle United
• Bodø/Glimt vs. Internazionale
• Olympiacos vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Notably, Juventus required extra time to overcome their opponents and advance. The other three teams – Real Madrid, Atalanta, and Paris Saint-Germain – also secured their progression.

Round of 16 Qualification

The winners of these play-off ties will join the eight teams that automatically qualified for the Round of 16 based on their performance in the league phase. Those automatically qualified teams are:

• Arsenal
• Bayern Munich
• Liverpool
• Tottenham Hotspur
• Barcelona
• Chelsea
• Sporting CP
• Manchester City

Knockout Phase Format

Each tie in the knockout phase, with the exception of the final, will be played over two legs, with each team hosting one match. The aggregate score will determine the winner, with away goals no longer a tie-breaker. If the aggregate score is level, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, followed by a penalty shoot-out if necessary.

The final will be a single match, played at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30th, 2026.