temp_image_1769778100.805539 Champions League Draw: Road to the Final in Budapest

Champions League Draw: The Path to Budapest is Set

The UEFA Champions League is entering a crucial phase. Following the thrilling conclusion of the League Stage, Europe’s premier club competition will determine its roadmap to the grand final on May 30th at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary, this Friday.

The primary focus of the draw, held at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, will be the fate of the 16 clubs that narrowly avoided elimination in the initial stage. These teams will compete for a place in the Round of 16, where they will join the eight top-ranked teams from the League Stage.

Playoff Round: A Two-Legged Battle

Teams finishing from 9th to 24th place will participate in a playoff series, played over two legs. Teams ranked 9th to 16th will be seeded, granting them the advantage of playing the second leg at home. Conversely, teams ranked 17th to 24th will play the first leg as the home team.

How the Draw Works

The draw system is straightforward. Each team knows it has only two potential opponents in this stage, as the format pairs teams from the upper half of the table with those from the lower half. This means:

Real Madrid (9th) will face either Bodo/Glimt (23rd) or Benfica (24th).
Atlético Madrid (14th) will compete against Club Brugge (19th) or Galatasaray (20th).

Here’s a complete look at the potential matchups:

Unlike previous stages, there are no restrictions in this phase regarding past opponents or teams from the same country. This means Real Madrid could potentially face Benfica again, while Borussia Dortmund could be drawn against Bayer Leverkusen, both from the Bundesliga.

Key Dates for the Playoff Round

First Leg: February 17th & 18th
Second Leg: February 24th & 25th

The winners of these eight series will advance to the Round of 16.

Round of 16 Draw

The clubs that finished in the top eight positions will await the February 27th draw to determine their bracket. Each team has four potential opponents.

For example, FC Barcelona could face Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle, Monaco, or Qarabag. Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, could be drawn against Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Bodo/Glimt, or Benfica. The playoff draw will clarify these possibilities.

Where to Watch the Draw

The draw ceremony will begin at noon Central European Time. For viewers on the US East Coast, that means an early start (even earlier on the West Coast!).

You can watch the draw live on the UEFA website and through the official Champions League app. For more information on the Champions League, check out ESPN’s Champions League coverage.

All remaining competition dates have been confirmed. Stay tuned for more updates as the Champions League journey continues!

Champions League Draw: Road to the Final in Budapest