MaplePitch Logo

Champions League Playoff Draw and Full Schedule for 2026/27 UEFA Qualifying

The qualification phase for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League has reached its decisive playoff round. Fourteen clubs will compete in this final stage to secure a spot in the league phase of the tournament. These two-legged ties are scheduled for August, before the main league draw on August 27.

Details of the Playoff Draw

The playoff draw took place on August 3 at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Fourteen teams are involved: ten from the champions path and four from the league path. The champions path includes teams that entered qualifying by winning their domestic leagues, while the league path consists of clubs that qualified through their domestic league positions in countries with multiple Champions League spots.

Ten of these playoff participants are yet to be finalized, as they will be decided by the third qualifying round matches occurring during the weeks starting August 3 and August 10.

Playoff Matchups for 2026/27

  • 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 Playoffs

  • First Leg Matches: August 18 and 19
  • Second Leg Matches: August 25 and 26

The second legs occur just one day before the league-phase draw, which makes these matches critical for finalizing the teams advancing into the Champions League group stage.

What Happens to Teams Eliminated in Playoffs?

Teams losing in this playoff round will automatically enter the Europa League group stage. This is the last chance for teams eliminated during Champions League qualifying to join the Europa League. After the Champions League group phase begins, no further teams will drop into the Europa League from knockout stages.

League-Phase Draw Information

The draw for the Champions League league phase will take place on August 27 in Monaco, starting at 12 p.m. CET (6 a.m. ET). This event sets the groups for the main tournament following the conclusion of the playoffs.

Related News