The draw for the play-off round of the Champions League takes place this week
14:46, 26 Jan 2026Updated 07:50, 29 Jan 2026
The draw for the Champions League play-off round takes place this week
Whatever happened against Paris Saint-Germain this week, Newcastle United were already assured of progress into the knockout stages of this season’s Champions League.
The Magpies secured enough points after beating PSV Eindhoven last week to ensure they are in the play-off round of the competition. A win in France would have seen them claim a top-eight place and a spot in the last-16 but it wasn’t to be despite a stunning performance in the capital.
It was a tough ask for Eddie Howe’s side at the Parc des Princes, made harder by some controversial refereeing – again – and the concession of an early goal. Joe Willock’s equaliser gave them a creditable 1-1 draw and it could have been so much better only for Harvey Barnes to pass up a late opportunity to win it.
So United finished outside the top eight, meaning they will be in the draw for the play-off round, which takes place this week. Here’s all you need to know.
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When is the Champions League play-off round draw?
The draw will take place on Friday, January 30, starting at 11am UK time, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
Who is in the Champions League play-off round draw?
The draw will comprise the 16 sides finishing between ninth spot and 24th place, with the winners over two legs going through the play the top-eight sides.
Newcastle finished in 12th, coming within a whisker of a win against PSG on Wednesday that would have booked them them a top-eight spot and meant they avoided the play-off.
When is the Champions League play-off round played?
Games will be played over two legs, with the first on February 17/18, and the second leg on February 24/25, with the side finishing in a higher place playing the away leg first.
How does the play-off draw work?
It is not a straight draw, with clubs seeded based on their final league position. They are paired into four seeded groups, with the clubs finishing ninth and tenth being drawn against those finishing 23rd and 24th, as follows.
9th or 10th vs 23rd or 24th11th or 12th vs 21st or 22nd13th of 14th vs 19th or 20th15th of 16th vs 17th or 18th
Therefore, Newcastle know the two sides they could be drawn against on Friday morning. They can only face French side Monaco or Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag.
When is the draw for the round of 16?
The eight sides who emerge from the play-off round will join the eight clubs already through in the last 16. This draw will take place on Friday, February 27, with games being played on March 10/11 and March 17/18.
With another paired seeded system, sides in the top eight will know the four sides they could face based on their final position, as follows.
1st or 2nd will play either of the winners of 13th of 14th vs 19th or 20th3rd or 4th will play either of the winners of 15th or 16th vs 17th or 18th5th or 6th will play either of the winners of 11th or 12th vs 21st or 22nd7th or 8th will play either of the winners of 9th or 10th vs 23rd or 24th
Therefore, Newcastle already know that should they progress, a last 16 tie against either Barcelona or Chelsea lies in wait for them.
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