The league phase of the Champions League 2025/26 came to a thrilling conclusion on Wednesday night, with a dramatic final multiplex deciding qualification places, play-off pairings, and elimination spots. After weeks of intense European action, the competition now moves into its decisive knockout phase.
Top 8 Secure Direct Round of 16 Qualification
Eight clubs finished at the summit of the table and booked their places directly into the Round of 16 of the Champions League 2025/26, avoiding the dangers of the play-offs:
- Arsenal
- Bayern Munich
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Barcelona
- Chelsea
- Sporting CP
- Manchester City
Champions League 2025/26: Play-off Bracket Takes Shape
The play-off stage of the Champions League 2025/26 promises heavyweight clashes, with several European giants still needing to fight for their place in the last 16. The provisional brackets are as follows:
- Real Madrid or Inter Milan vs Benfica or Bodø/Glimt
- Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle United vs AS Monaco or Qarabağ
- Juventus or Atlético Madrid vs Galatasaray or Club Brugge
- Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund or Olympiakos
Each tie will be played over two legs, with no margin for error.
Champions League 2025/26: Eliminated Teams Confirmed
For several well-known clubs, the Champions League 2025/26 journey has ended at the league phase. The following teams have been officially eliminated:
- Olympique de Marseille
- Pafos FC
- Union Saint-Gilloise
- PSV Eindhoven
- Athletic Club
- Napoli
- FC Copenhagen
- Ajax
- Eintracht Frankfurt
- Slavia Prague
- Villarreal
- Kairat Almaty
With the play-offs next on the calendar, the focus now shifts to survival and ambition as Europe’s elite chase glory on the biggest stage.
