When Is the Champions League Draw – 2024/25 Dates, Times & Format
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season has introduced sweeping structural changes, reshaping how Europe’s premier club competition progresses from autumn through to spring. With the traditional group stage replaced by an expanded league phase, the pathway to the final in Munich now includes additional knockout rounds and modified draw procedures that affect when and how matchups are determined.
Understanding the precise timing of these draws has become essential for supporters tracking their clubs’ progress. The schedule encompasses multiple stages, from the initial league phase allocation to the decisive rounds that determine who will contest the final at the Allianz Arena on 31 May 2025.
When Is the Next Champions League Draw?
The 2024/25 season has already seen several key draws, with the most recent determining the knockout path to Munich. For fans tracking multiple competitions, our guide to the Ipswich Town vs Charlton – Kick-Off Time, Preview & Prediction provides additional fixture details.
- Round of 16 draw held on 21 February 2025 at 12:00 CET
- League phase draw took place on 29 August 2024
- Knockout play-offs draw conducted on 31 January 2025
- Quarter-final and semi-final draws occurred simultaneously on 21 February 2025
- Final scheduled for 31 May 2025 at Allianz Arena, Munich
- New format features 36 teams in single league phase
- Seeded teams host second legs in round of 16
| Competition Stage | Draw Date | First Leg Dates | Second Leg Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| League Phase | 29 Aug 2024 | 17 Sep 2024 – 29 Jan 2025 | – |
| Knockout Play-offs | 31 Jan 2025 | 11-12 Feb 2025 | 18-19 Feb 2025 |
| Round of 16 | 21 Feb 2025 | 4-5 Mar 2025 | 11-12 Mar 2025 |
| Quarter-finals | 21 Feb 2025 | 8-9 Apr 2025 | 15-16 Apr 2025 |
| Semi-finals | 21 Feb 2025 | Late Apr 2025 | Early May 2025 |
| Final | – | 31 May 2025 (Allianz Arena, Munich) | |
What Time Does the Champions League Draw Start?
UEFA consistently schedules major draws at midday Central European Time to accommodate global broadcast audiences. The 2024/25 round of 16 draw commenced at 12:00 CET on 21 February 2025, allowing viewers across multiple time zones to follow the proceedings live.
European and UK Timings
For audiences in the United Kingdom, the draw began at 11:00 GMT. Central European viewers tuned in at 12:00 CET, while those in Eastern Europe accessed the stream at 13:00 EET. These standardized timings ensure consistency across the continent, with UEFA rarely deviating from this midday slot for major knockout stage announcements.
North American and Global Schedules
In the United States, the early morning timing meant the draw started at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time. West Coast viewers accessed coverage at 3:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Asian markets received the broadcast during evening hours, with the draw occurring at 20:00 Singapore time and 19:00 in Bangkok.
Where and How to Watch the Champions League Draw
UEFA provides comprehensive access to all competition draws through its official digital platforms. The governing body prioritizes free-to-air availability for the initial rounds, ensuring supporters worldwide can witness the allocation of matchups without subscription barriers.
UEFA.com offers complimentary live streaming of all Champions League draws, accessible globally without registration fees. The stream for the round of 16 phase was available at UEFA’s dedicated draws portal, typically beginning five minutes before the scheduled start time.
Television and Digital Coverage
Major sports broadcasters including TNT Sports, BT Sport, and CBS Sports Network typically carry the draw live, depending on regional rights agreements. The broadcast details vary by territory, with some networks offering pre-draw analysis and immediate reaction coverage.
Mobile and Online Access
Beyond traditional television, UEFA’s official YouTube channel and mobile application provide reliable streaming options. These platforms offer multi-language commentary and instant notifications regarding draw results, catering to supporters following developments while commuting or at work.
Teams and Results from Recent Champions League Draws
The 2024/25 season’s expanded format fundamentally altered team progression pathways. Thirty-six clubs competed in the league phase, with the top eight advancing directly to the round of 16 as seeded teams. Positions nine through twenty-four entered a two-legged knockout playoff to determine the remaining eight contestants.
League Phase to Knockout Transition
Following the conclusion of the league phase in late January 2025, sixteen teams contested the play-off round. The draw for these matches occurred on 31 January 2025, with legs played on 11-12 and 18-19 February. The eight victors progressed as unseeded teams to face the top-eight finishers in the round of 16.
Clubs finishing in the top eight of the league phase received seeded status, granting them the advantage of hosting the second leg of their round of 16 tie. This proven bracket system pairs specific seeded positions with predetermined unseeded slots.
Current Status of Results
Specific team names and match results for the round of 16 remain outside the scope of confirmed sources. The official UEFA summaries confirm the procedural framework and dates, though detailed match outcomes would require updated sources beyond the February 2025 timeframe.
Available sources do not list specific team matchups or results for the 2024/25 round of 16.
Champions League Draw Schedule Timeline
The 2024/25 campaign follows a meticulously planned calendar, with each draw date strategically positioned to allow adequate preparation time for competing clubs.
- 29 August 2024: League Phase Draw – 36 teams allocated eight opponents each (Source)
- 31 January 2025: Knockout Play-offs Draw – 16 teams paired for elimination matches
- 11-12 February 2025: Play-off First Legs
- 18-19 February 2025: Play-off Second Legs
- 21 February 2025: Round of 16, Quarter-final, and Semi-final Draws conducted simultaneously at UEFA headquarters in Nyon
- 4-5 March 2025: Round of 16 First Legs
- 11-12 March 2025: Round of 16 Second Legs
- 8-9 April 2025: Quarter-final First Legs
- 15-16 April 2025: Quarter-final Second Legs
- 31 May 2025: Final at Allianz Arena, Munich
What We Know and What Remains Uncertain
While UEFA has established clear parameters for the 2024/25 competition structure, certain details extend beyond the confirmed documentation provided in official releases.
| Established Information | Uncertain or Pending Details |
|---|---|
| All draw dates from league phase through semi-finals | Specific team pairings for round of 16 (sources pre-date results) |
| Exact timing (12:00 CET) and location (Nyon, Switzerland) | Precise semi-final match dates (expected late April/early May 2025) |
| 36-team league phase format and 8-game schedule | Broadcast details for future 2025/26 season draws |
| Final venue (Allianz Arena) and date (31 May 2025) | Identity of competing finalists |
| Seeding criteria (top 8 direct, 9-24 to play-offs) | Specific TV rights allocations by region for later rounds |
The 2025/26 season schedule, including draws on 30 January and 27 February 2026, pertains specifically to the following campaign and remains distinct from the current 2024/25 cycle.
Understanding the New Champions League Format
The 2024/25 season represents the inaugural implementation of UEFA’s revised tournament structure. The traditional eight groups of four teams have been replaced by a single 36-club league phase, where each participant plays eight matches against different opponents—four home and four away.
This expansion increases the total number of participating clubs while maintaining competitive integrity through a Swiss-system style ranking. The top eight finishers secure automatic progression to the round of 16, avoiding the February play-off round entirely. Positions nine through twenty-four enter a preliminary knockout phase, with only eight survivors advancing to meet the seeded sides.
The bracket system for the round of 16 onward follows predetermined pathways based on league phase rankings, ensuring that higher-performing teams face theoretically easier opposition in the initial knockout round. This structure rewards consistency during the autumn and winter months while maintaining suspense through the play-off buffer zone.
Official Sources and Venue Information
UEFA’s official communications provide the authoritative foundation for all scheduling information. The governing body maintains comprehensive documentation of format changes and procedural rules through its digital channels.
The new format introduces a league phase featuring 36 clubs, with the top eight advancing directly to the round of 16 as seeded teams.
— UEFA Official Tournament Documentation
Geographic logistics influence the final stages, with UEFA scheduling protocols prohibiting same-city teams from hosting home matches on identical or consecutive days to prevent logistical congestion and security concerns.
Summary of Champions League Draw Information
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League draw schedule has concluded its major February events, with the round of 16, quarter-final, and semi-final brackets all determined on 21 February 2025 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon. The competition now proceeds toward the Munich final on 31 May 2025, following the new expanded format that introduced a 36-team league phase and preliminary knockout rounds. For additional sporting schedules, see our coverage of the Rugby Autumn Internationals 2025 – Fixtures, Results, Schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Champions League league phase draw?
The league phase draw took place on 29 August 2024, allocating eight opponents to each of the 36 participating clubs.
What is the new Champions League format?
The 2024/25 season introduced a 36-team league phase replacing group stages, with each team playing eight matches. The top eight advance directly to the round of 16, while teams ranked 9-24 compete in knockout play-offs.
How does the Champions League knockout draw work?
Seeded teams (top 8 league finishers) host the second leg against unseeded teams (play-off winners). The draw follows a predetermined bracket system pairing specific ranked positions.
Is the Champions League draw televised?
Yes, all draws are broadcast live on UEFA.com via free streaming and through various international sports broadcasters including TNT Sports and CBS Sports Network where regional rights permit.
Who qualified for the Champions League round of 16?
The top eight teams from the league phase qualified directly. Teams finishing 9th-24th entered play-offs, with eight winners joining the round of 16 as unseeded opponents.
What time do Champions League draws usually start?
Major draws typically commence at 12:00 CET (11:00 GMT/6:00 a.m. ET), though exact times are confirmed by UEFA one to two weeks prior to each event.
Where is the Champions League final in 2025?
The 2025 final takes place at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on 31 May 2025.
Are quarter-final and semi-final draws separate events?
For the 2024/25 season, the round of 16, quarter-final, and semi-final draws were conducted together on 21 February 2025, mapping the entire knockout pathway to Munich.