The much-awaited Champions League play-offs have officially begun with 16 teams competing for the final eight spots in the next stage. Eight teams, including Liverpool and Arsenal, have already secured their places while Aston Villa clinched the final spot with a victory over Celtic. The draws for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals will take place on 21 February, setting up exciting match-ups for the remaining teams. Villa will face either Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge in the last 16.
UEFA Champions League Playoffs: 16 Teams Vie for Last Eight Spots
The highly anticipated UEFA Champions League playoffs have commenced, with 16 teams vying for the final eight spots in the knockout stages. The group stage, which concluded last December, saw 32 teams compete for the top two spots in their respective groups to secure automatic qualification for the Round of 16.
Qualified Teams
Eight teams have already booked their places in the next round:
Playoff Teams
The remaining eight teams must navigate a two-legged playoff to reach the Round of 16:
Draw Format
The draw for the Round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals will take place on February 21st in Nyon, Switzerland. The teams that topped their groups will be seeded and will avoid facing each other in the Round of 16.
Potential Matchups
Some of the potential matchups that could emerge from the draw:
Top 5 FAQs
When will the playoffs take place?
Which team has won the most Champions League titles?
Who is the reigning Champions League champion?
How many teams qualify for the Champions League each year?
When is the Champions League final?
A significant change is set to take place in the world of European soccer, as the long-standing Swiss agency for selling Champions League rights will be replaced by New York-based Relevent Sports, owned by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. This comes after the UEFA-ECA joint venture awarded Relevent exclusive negotiating rights for the global commercial rights to the UEFA men's club competitions for the period of 2027-2033. This deal marks a major shift in the marketing of the prestigious Champions League and other European competitions, with revenues expected to reach record highs.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has endorsed all-rounder Axar Patel for a spot in the upcoming Champions Trophy, suggesting that he could potentially fill the crucial role of a left-handed batter in the middle order. Manjrekar highlighted Axar's impressive batting performance in the first ODI against England, where he hit a quickfire 52 off just 47 balls, and praised his ability to play spin. He also hinted that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant may have to wait for his chance due to Axar's emergence. The Indian team could potentially make a couple of changes for the 2nd ODI, with captain Virat Kohli returning from injury and potentially pushing young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal down the order.
As the UEFA Champions League knockout phase approaches, all eyes will be on the highly-anticipated new ball at the center of it all. Created by Adidas, the ball pays tribute to the vibrant host city of the final, Munich, with its stunning design and expertly crafted technology. Not only is it a visual masterpiece, it also leads the way in sustainability efforts, making it a true game-changer for the sport. Before its debut, this UCL ball has been thoroughly tested and proven to be a triumph in every aspect.
Star cricketer Kane Williamson's unbeaten 133 led New Zealand to a six-wicket victory against South Africa in the tri-series ODI match on Monday. Despite South African opener Matthew Breetzke's record debut score of 150, New Zealand secured a spot in the final with their captain's brilliant performance. The match, played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, was filled with excitement as the team progresses to the next stage.
India's captain, Rohit Sharma, silenced his critics with a magnificent 119 off 90 balls and led India to a series-clinching win against England in Cuttack. Former player and selector Jatin Paranjape praised Rohit's determination and elegant play, while also applauding the impressive performance of debutant wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. With the deadline for the Champions Trophy selection fast approaching, Paranjape predicted that Chakaravarthy's precision and pressure-inducing bowling style will surely earn him a spot in India's final squad.
New Zealand continued their winning streak in the tri-nation ODI series with a convincing win over South Africa. Skipper Mitchell Santner's decision to invite South Africa to bat first proved successful as his team claimed an early advantage. With only one change to their playing XI, the Kiwis were able to secure a 78-run victory over Pakistan in the previous match. A win over South Africa in Lahore would secure New Zealand's spot in the final.
India continued their dominance over England with a convincing win in the second ODI, thanks to skipper Rohit Sharma's sublime century. However, a moment of controversy arose when England's Jos Buttler threw the ball back at a helpless Virat Kohli just moments before his dismissal. This incident caused outrage among Kohli's fans, with many accusing Buttler of intentionally breaking the Indian star's concentration. After the match, Buttler admitted that his team needs to step up their game in order to make a comeback in the series.
In an exciting second fixture of the Tri-Nation Series in Pakistan, South Africa will take on New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday. With live updates available on Sportstar, fans can follow all the action as Temba Bavuma leads his team against the challenging New Zealand side. The Proteas have announced their lineup, including the dynamic duo of Matthew Breetzke and Kyle Verreynne.
Despite his best efforts to attend and support a potential three-time champion, President Trump was left disappointed as the Philadelphia Eagles dominated and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. This marked the first time a sitting president attended the Super Bowl, but also marked the first time in history that a team has won three consecutive titles. In the end, Trump had to witness the humbling defeat of his favored team by the impressive Eagles.