UEFA Champions League playoff draw results: Fixtures, teams competing in final round of 2025/26 UCL qualifiers

Teams fighting for a place in the UEFA Champions League proper in 2025/26 learn what the final hurdle will look like on Monday, August 4.

Twenty-nine clubs already have their spots sealed in the 36-team league phase. The line-up will be completed by the winners of seven two-legged knockout ties.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Champions League playoff round, from the teams fighting to be involved, to the draw method and what happens to the losers.

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UEFA Champions League playoff round explained

The Champions League playoff round is split into two sections: The Champions Path and the League Path.

The Champions Path

The Champions Path features 10 teams and five ties. This includes Celtic, Basel, Sturm Graz and Bodo/Glimt, who qualified directly for this phase of the competition.

Bodo/Glimt and Celtic are seeded; Basel and Sturm Graz are unseeded.

The other six teams in the Champions Path will advance from the third qualifying round.

The League Path

The League Path features four teams and two ties, with all participants advancing from the third qualifying round.

Once again, there will be seeded and unseeded sides, as detailed below.

Champions League playoff draw, fixtures & schedule

All ties in the Champions and League Paths will take place on August 19/20 and August 26/27, kicking off at 9 p.m. CET.

The defeated teams in each of the seven ties will drop into the Europa League league phase.

Champions Path

League Path