So there’s no country protection?
Correct. Clubs from the same country can play each other from the knockout playoff round onward.
It’s also possible to draw one of the eight teams you’ve already faced — including the most recent opponents from Matchday 8.
What dates are the knockout playoff round?
First legs: Feb. 13, 2025
Second legs: Feb. 20, 2025
So what about the top eight clubs?
After the knockout playoff round draw, the teams who finish inside the top eight will still have four possible opponents.
For instance, third (Athletic Club) and sixth (Man United) would still be able to play any of 13th, 14th, 19th or 20th (Rangers, AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Elfsborg). This is because Athletic and Man United could yet be drawn into either half, but only into the specific paths for those fixtures.
Once the knockout playoff round is complete, and two of those clubs have been knocked out, Athletic and Man United would have two possible opponents remaining: the winners of the knockout playoff round ties.
When is the draw for the round of 16?
The round of 16 draw then takes place on Friday, Feb. 21, when Athletic and Man United would simply be drawn into opposite halves of the bracket — which would create a fixture against one of the winners of the ties involving Rangers, AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Elfsborg.
The teams placed first to eighth are seeded and will be at home in the second leg.
First legs: March 6, 2025
Second legs: March 13, 2025
The knockout bracket is now set through to the final.
Who gets home advantage in the quarterfinals and semifinals?
There will be one more draw, straight after the round of 16 is set, to determine the home teams in the second leg for the quarterfinals and semifinals. This is not done on league phase seeding.
