2026/27 UEFA Champions League Playoff Draw and Match Schedule

The final phase of qualification for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League is underway. Fourteen teams will compete in the playoff round for a spot in the group stage of the tournament. Some participants will still be decided through the third qualifying round, with those matches set for early August.

These playoffs consist of two-legged ties scheduled for August, leading up to the group stage draw on August 27.

Details of the Playoff Draw

The draw took place on August 3 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Out of the fourteen teams in this phase, ten entered via the champions path, meaning they qualified by winning their domestic leagues. The remaining four joined through the league path, reserved for teams from countries with multiple Champions League spots who qualified based on league position rather than winning their title.

Ten of these playoff teams are yet to be confirmed, as they depend on outcomes from the third qualifying round matches played during the weeks starting August 3 and August 10.

Matchups for the 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 group stage draw follows promptly on August 27, one day after the playoff second legs conclude. Kickoff times will be confirmed by UEFA soon.

Europa League Qualification Impact

Teams eliminated in this playoff round will enter the Europa League group stage. This is the last chance for any club knocked out in Champions League qualifying to continue in European competition before the Champions League group phase begins. Afterward, no clubs dropping from the Champions League will join the Europa League later in the season.

Group Stage Draw Information

The draw for the 2026/27 Champions League group stage will take place in Monaco on August 27, starting around noon Central European Time (6 a.m. Eastern Time).