After a thrilling finish to the UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase, the competition will gear up to hold its inaugural knockout phase playoffs with Friday's draw. The teams that finished from ninth through 24th in the league phase will take part in the knockout phase playoffs,

The first ever Champions League league phase is in the books. After eight league games instead of six group-stage matches round-robin style, the top eight teams have been confirmed, teams placed No. 9 through 24 will enter the playoff stage and teams No. 25 through 36 were eliminated.

The Champions League's inaugural league phase concluded on January 29. The route from the group stage to the Round of 16 is no longer direct.

The UEFA Champions League on Friday conducted the draw for the knockout stage, setting up the bracket for European soccer's biggest annual tournament. At the confederation's headquarters in Switzerland,

Gooooooooaaaaaal! The UEFA Champions League has a new expanded format for the 2024-25 season. The new UEFA Champions League season is underway, with 36 teams attempting to reach the final in Munich in May.

After the playoff round draw of the new-look Champions League, here's how it impacts the round of 16, the format and the rest of the bracket.

UEFA have held the draw for the playoff stage of their revamped Champions League this morning, as the teams who finished between 8th and 24th find out who they will face for a place in the last