A crazy night of Champions League action on Wednesday brought the league stage to a close for another season.

All six Premier League teams have progressed, with only Newcastle to play in next month’s play-off round.

Holders Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid both failed to seal automatic places.

PSG could only draw 1-1 at home to Newcastle United. Both sides faced play-offs despite the result starting the final night in automatic places.

Benfica’s last minute goal Against Real they reach 24th place.

The draw takes place on Friday 30 January 2026. In the play-offs of the knockout stage, teams may face another team from the same league. Clubs can also face opponents met during the league stage.

In the last 16 straight

Arsenal (England)

Bayern Munich (Germany)

Liverpool (England)

Tottenham Hotspur (England)

FC Barcelona (Spain)

Chelsea (England)

Sports (Portugal)

Manchester City (England)

Knockout Stage Play-off Places (Seeded)

Real Madrid (Spain)

Inter Milan (Italy)

Paris Saint Germain (France)

Newcastle United (England)

Juventus (Italy)

Atletico Madrid (Spain)

Atlanta (Italy)

Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)

Knockout Stage Play-off Places (Unranked)

Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Olympiakos (Greece)

Club Brugge (Belgium)

Galatasaray (Turkey)

AS Monaco (France)

Garabagh (Azerbaijan)

Bodo/Glimt (Norway)

Benfica (Portugal)

Champions League 2025/26 Format

In a change from the previous group stage format carried out until 2023/24, each team now plays eight matches in the league stage, all against different opponents.

Four of those matches will be at home and four away, with opponents decided according to four seeding pots divided by ranking.

Teams will play two opponents from each of those pots – one against a team from each pot at home and one away. The results determine the overall standings in a league.

The top eight sides in the table automatically qualify for the round of 16. Teams ranked ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout stage play-off to reach the last 16.

Teams finishing 25th or lower are out of Europe for the season.

When is the Champions League Final?

The final will be held on 30 May 2026 at The Puskas Arena in Budapest, which opened in 2019 and is the home of the Hungarian national team.

The arena hosted the dramatic 2022/23 Europa League final, when Sevilla beat Roma on penalties after a 1–1 draw after extra time.