Champions League playoffs begin to decide final league phase spots

The decisive final stage of qualifying for the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League begins Tuesday, August 18, as 14 clubs kick off two-legged playoff ties to determine the last seven spots in the expanded league phase. The first legs are scheduled across Tuesday and Wednesday, setting up a compressed calendar that concludes with second legs next week and a league phase draw on August 27 in Monaco.

The playoffs represent the final hurdle after three qualifying rounds, with the seven winners advancing to join the 29 clubs that have already secured automatic berths. The defeated sides will drop directly into the UEFA Europa League league phase. The schedule features a demanding turnaround: ties conclude August 26, the draw for the eight-match league phase occurs the following morning, and the competition itself commences on September 8.

This season marks a significant structural change, replacing the traditional group stage with a single 36-team league table. Each club will face eight different opponents, drawn from four pots based on UEFA coefficients, ensuring matches against two teams from each pot while avoiding clubs from the same domestic league. The top eight in the final...