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2026/27 UEFA Champions League Playoff Draw and Match Schedule

The qualifying rounds for the upcoming UEFA Champions League season have reached their decisive playoff stage. Fourteen clubs will battle in this round to secure a spot in the 2026/27 league phase of the competition. Some participants are still undecided, as the third qualifying round outcomes will determine them.

The playoffs feature two-legged ties set for August, just before the league phase draw scheduled on August 27.

Details of the Playoff Draw

The draw took place on August 3 at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The fourteen teams are split into two paths:

  • Champions Path: Ten teams who earned their places by winning domestic leagues.
  • League Path: Four teams qualified based on their domestic league standings in countries with multiple Champions League slots.

Ten of these fourteen teams will be confirmed after the third qualifying round matches, played during the weeks starting August 3 and August 10.

Matchups in the Playoff Round

  • Levski Sofia (BUL) or Kairat Almaty (KAZ) vs. AEK Athens (GRE)
  • Celtic (SCO) vs. LASK (AUT)
  • GNK Dinamo (CRO) or Zalgiris (LIT) vs. Viking (NOR)
  • Mjallby (SWE) or Slovan Bratislava (SVK) vs. Ararat-Armenia (ARM) or Celje (SVN)
  • Hapoel Be'er-Sheva (ISR) or Red Star Belgrade (SRB) vs. Aarhus (DEN) or Sabah (AZE)
  • Fenerbahce (TUR) or Sturm Graz (AUT) vs. Sparta Prague (CZE) or Lyon (FRA)
  • Olympiacos (GRE) or NEC (NED) vs. Union SG (BEL) or Bodo/Glimt (NOR)

Schedule for Playoff Matches

  • First legs: August 18 and 19
  • Second legs: August 25 and 26

The second legs conclude just before the league phase draw.

Europa League Qualification Note

Teams eliminated in this Champions League playoff round will automatically enter the league phase of the Europa League. This is the final chance for teams to drop into that competition before the Champions League group stage begins. After this point, no further elimination will lead to Europa League placement.

League Phase Draw Details

The draw for the Champions League league phase is set for August 27, starting at 12 p.m. Central European Time (6 a.m. Eastern Time) in Monaco.

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