The draw for the knockout phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Women’s Champions League took place at 13:00 CET on Thursday, December 18, and was an essential event that established the matchups leading to the final.
In this prestigious tournament, the top four teams from the league phase automatically advanced to the quarter-finals, while those teams that finished in positions fifth through twelfth entered the knockout phase play-offs. The four teams victorious in these play-offs will then join the quarter-finalists to compete for the coveted title.
It is important to note that all knockout phase matches, except for the final, will be played in a two-leg format, with each team hosting one leg of the tie, enhancing the competitive nature of the tournament. The final, however, will be hosted in Oslo, Norway.
Which Teams Participated in the Knockout Phase Draw?
The draw included the teams finishing in the top twelve positions of the league phase. Among those confirmed for the quarter-finals are powerhouse teams such as Barcelona, OL Lyonnes, Chelsea, and Bayern München.
Meanwhile, the teams entering the knockout phase play-offs include notable clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Wolfsburg, Paris FC, Atlético de Madrid, and OH Leuven.
How Could Fans Watch the Draw?
For fans eager to catch the draw live, it was streamed online via UEFA.com and through the official UEFA Women's Champions League app, ensuring accessibility for supporters around the globe.
Where Did the Draw Take Place?
The draw was held at the House of European Football, located in Nyon, Switzerland, a fitting venue for such a significant event in women’s football.
Understanding the Knockout Phase Play-Offs
Starting with the knockout phase play-offs, the tournament follows a bracket format. The potential opponents are determined in advance; specifically, teams finishing fifth and sixth will face the teams that ended up in eleventh or twelfth place, while those in seventh and eighth will go against the ninth and tenth-placed teams.
Teams that finished between fifth and eighth in the league phase were seeded for this round, meaning the higher-seeded team generally plays the second leg at home, which can provide a significant advantage. The four winners from these play-offs will proceed to the quarter-finals.
How Was the Knockout Phase Play-Off Draw Conducted?
The match-ups for the knockout phase play-offs were decided through a carefully regulated draw. The procedure ensured that teams were paired based on their final league positions:
- Two seeded pairs were created (teams finishing 5th and 6th, and teams finishing 7th and 8th).
- These seeded teams were then matched against unseeded pairs (positions 9 and 10, and 11 and 12).
How Was the Quarter-Final Draw Conducted?
The quarter-final fixtures were similarly determined through a draw. The top two seeded teams (positions 1 and 2) were paired with the next two seeds (positions 3 and 4) from the knockout phase play-offs, defining who would compete in the quarter-finals.
How About the Semi-Final Draw?
In the semi-finals, the seeded teams, specifically those ranked 1 and 2 after the league phase, enjoy the advantage of playing the second leg at home. Notably, if a seeded team is eliminated in the quarter-finals, the team that defeats them takes over their seeding position in the progression of the knockout stages, maintaining a consistent ranking throughout the tournament.
Can Teams from the Same Country Compete Against Each Other?
Yes, it is possible for teams from the same national association to meet during the knockout phase play-offs, and they may also encounter opponents they faced in the league phase, making for some intriguing matchups.
When Will the Knockout Phase Matches Be Held?
All matches in the knockout phase, apart from the final in Oslo, will unfold over two legs:
- Knockout Phase Play-Offs:
First Leg: February 11/12
Second Leg: February 18/19
- Quarter-Finals:
First Leg: March 24/25
Second Leg: April 1/2
- Semi-Finals:
First Leg: April 25/26
Second Leg: May 2/3
- Final (at Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo):
May 23
UEFA will announce the exact dates and kick-off times for the knockout phase play-off matches following the draw. If any scheduling conflicts arise due to stadium or city issues, they will be resolved following the guidelines set by the UEFA Women’s Football Committee.
