Champions League in February: Dates for knockout play-offs and the next draw

The Champions League play-offs will be played on February 17 and 18.
Text: Javier Escribano
Published 2026-02-02

UEFA Champions League is returning at the end of this month of February, for the knockout round play-offs, which will decide the other 8 teams that go to round of 16 in March, joining the 8 that triumphed in the league phase.

The schedule has been confirmed, with a busy late February with the two legged fixtures happening in consecutive weeks. It will be followed by another draw on 27 February, to decide the rivals for the next round. Those matches will be played on 10-11 March, and the second legs will be played on 17-18 March.

Champions League games: first leg of play-offs

Tuesday, 17 February


Galatasaray vs Juventus: 18:45 CET, 17:45 GMT
Monaco vs Paris: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT
Benfica vs Real Madrid: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT


Wednesday, 18 February


Qarabağ vs Newcastle: 18:45 CET, 17:45 GMT
Club Brugge vs Atlético de Madrid: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT
Bodø/Glimt vs Inter: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT
Olympiacos vs Leverkusen: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT


Champions League games: second leg of play-offs

Tuesday, 24 February


Atlético de Madrid vs Club Brugge: 18:45 CET, 17:45 GMT
Leverkusen vs Olympiacos: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT
Inter vs Bodø/Glimt: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT
Newcastle vs Qarabağ: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT


Wednesday, 25 February


Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund: 18:45 CET, 17:45 GMT
Juventus vs Galatasaray: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT
Paris vs Monaco: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT
Real Madrid vs Benfica: 21:00 CET, 20:00 GMT


Remember that the draw for the remaining knockout phases will be on February 27. We already know the possibilities, for example, if Real Madrid defeats Benfica and qualifies, they have a fifty per cent chance of clashing with Manchester City again...

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