Champions League Playoff Draw and Match Schedule for 2026/27 UEFA Qualifying
The final round of qualification for the upcoming UEFA Champions League season is set. Fourteen clubs are competing in the playoff phase to secure a spot in the 2026/27 league stage. The last places will be decided by the third qualifying round matches, which happen in early August.
The playoffs consist of two-legged ties played in August, ahead of the league phase draw scheduled for August 27. The full lineup and schedule were confirmed on August 3.
Details of the Champions League Playoff Draw
The playoff draw took place on August 3 at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The fourteen teams are split into two paths: ten teams qualified through winning their domestic leagues (champions path), while four earned their spots via their league finishes in countries with multiple Champions League places (league path).
Ten of these playoff teams are still to be determined based on results from the third qualifying round, with matches occurring during the weeks starting August 3 and August 10.
Matchups in the Champions League Playoffs
- 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)
Playoff Match Schedule
- First legs: August 18 and 19
- Second legs: August 25 and 26
The second legs conclude just one day before the draw for the league phase takes place. Exact kickoff times will be updated once UEFA confirms them.
Europa League Entry for Playoff Losers
Teams that lose in this playoff round will move directly into the Europa League league phase. This is the final chance to drop into the Europa League, as no team eliminated later in the Champions League — whether at the end of the league phase or during knockout rounds — will enter the Europa League afterwards.
League Phase Draw Information
The draw for the Champions League league phase will occur on August 27, starting at noon Central European Time (6 a.m. Eastern Time). This event will be held in Monaco.
