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2026/27 Champions League Playoff Draw and Match Schedule

The final stage of qualifying for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League is underway, with fourteen clubs battling for spots in the main league phase. These decisive two-legged playoff ties are set to occur in August, ahead of the league phase draw on August 27.

Playoff Draw Details

The draw took place on August 3 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The fourteen teams entering this round split into two paths: ten teams via the champions path, which includes domestic league winners, and four teams through the league path, made up of clubs that qualified based on their domestic league positions from nations with multiple Champions League places.

Ten of these playoff teams will be confirmed following the third qualifying round matches scheduled during the weeks starting August 3 and August 10.

Matchups for 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 the Playoff Matches

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

The second legs conclude one day before the main league phase draw. Kickoff times will be confirmed by UEFA closer to match dates.

Europa League Implications

Teams knocked out during these playoffs will move directly into the Europa League group stage. This marks the last chance for eliminated clubs to enter European competition this season, as teams exiting after the Champions League league phase cannot drop down to the Europa League.

League Phase Draw

The draw to finalize the 2026/27 Champions League group stage will occur on August 27 in Monaco, starting at 12 p.m. Central European Time (6 a.m. ET).

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