Champions League 2025/26: Who's Qualified for the Knockout Stage?

The race to the Champions League knockout rounds is heating up, with only two teams securing their spots so far.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:53am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Champions League match or competition, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the action on the field.The new Champions League format introduces an extra layer of drama and unpredictability, as teams outside the traditional elite fight for a spot in the knockout stage.NYC Today

The race to the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout stages is heating up, and only two teams have secured their spots so far. Arsenal and Bayern München are leading the charge, with Bayern's recent 3-1 victory over Sporting CP on Matchday 6 cementing their place. However, the battle for the remaining spots is far from over, as the new format adds an extra layer of drama and unpredictability.

Why it matters

The revamped Champions League format, with the top eight teams advancing directly to the round of 16 and the rest facing off in knockout phase play-offs, has added an extra layer of excitement and uncertainty to the competition. This system gives even teams outside the top eight a chance to reach the knockout stages, but they'll have to survive the play-offs first.

The details

In this new Champions League format, the top eight teams overall advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing from ninth to 24th will face off in the knockout phase play-offs. The winners of these play-offs will then join the elite eight in the round of 16. This system has added an extra layer of drama and unpredictability, as even teams outside the top eight have a shot at glory—but only if they can survive the play-offs.

  • Arsenal and Bayern München have already secured their spots in the knockout stage.
  • The knockout phase play-offs will take place on 17/18 & 24/25 February 2026.
  • The round of 16 will be played on 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026.
  • The quarter-finals will be on 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026.
  • The semi-finals will be on 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026.
  • The final will be held on 30 May 2026 in Budapest.

The players

Arsenal

An English professional football club based in Islington, London, that plays in the Premier League.

Bayern München

A German professional football club based in Munich, Bavaria, that plays in the Bundesliga.

Sporting CP

A Portuguese professional football club based in Lisbon that plays in the Primeira Liga.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The final standings will be validated once all league phase matches are completed, so it remains to be seen if any surprise teams can sneak into the top eight and avoid the play-offs.

The takeaway

The new Champions League format has added an extra layer of drama and unpredictability to the competition, with even teams outside the top eight having a chance to reach the knockout stages. However, the battle to secure one of the direct qualification spots is still fierce, and the final standings will not be known until all league phase matches are completed.