Champions League Schedule: Playoffs Bracket, Draw Date and Key Match Dates for 2025-26
The Champions League Schedule for the 2025-26 playoff phase is now defined by fixed draw and match windows, clarifying the road to the final and giving clubs and fans firm milestones to plan around. The draw will set the Round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals, and the guide covering the bracket, schedule, results and standings has been updated for the 2025-26 edition.
Champions League Schedule: Draw date and why it matters
The draw to determine the Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals leading to the final will take place on February 27, 2026. That draw formalizes matchups that shape tactical planning, travel and the sequence of knockout ties for all teams still in contention.
Champions League Schedule: Knockout match windows
Key match windows for the knockout phase are laid out as follows for the 2025-26 edition:
| Round | Match dates |
|---|---|
| Round of 16 — first legs | March 10 and 11, 2026 |
| Round of 16 — second legs | March 17 and 18, 2026 |
| Quarter-finals | April 7/8 and April 14/15, 2026 |
| Semi-finals | April 28/29 and May 5/6, 2026 |
These windows establish a concentrated knockout calendar and make clear the sequence of fixtures that will decide which clubs reach the final.
What the playoffs guide contains
The playoff guide for the 2025-26 edition presents an updated bracket, the complete schedule, up-to-date results and detailed standings. It is designed as an essential reference to follow the road to the final, tracking how each tie alters the pathway through the Round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals.
Context: why the playoff phase is pivotal
The UEFA Champions League playoff phase always marks a turning point in the European season: it is the moment when title contenders face each other under maximum pressure, with each match capable of changing the destiny of clubs, players and fans. The compressed knockout schedule amplifies stakes and heightens the strategic emphasis on squad management and form.
Access issues and site notices that affected readers
Readers seeking the updated bracket and schedule encountered two access-related items. First, a page title indicated a "429 Too Many Requests" condition that limited access in some instances. Second, a site page explained that it was built to take advantage of the latest technology to make the experience faster and easier and stated "Your browser is not supported, " asking users to download an updated browser for the best experience. These technical notes affected the ability of some users to view the guide in real time.
Next steps and what to watch
With the draw scheduled for February 27, 2026 and the Round of 16 first legs on March 10 and 11, attention now turns to confirmed matchups once the draw is completed. Fans and clubs will use the bracket and schedule to plan travel, manage rosters and set tactical priorities ahead of the compressed knockout windows in March, April and early May.
Schedule details are presented here for planning purposes; the match windows listed are the official dates for the playoff phase of the 2025-26 edition. Any further updates or changes may emerge, and technical access issues could affect where and how the bracket and results are viewed.
