The knockout stage of the 2024–2025 UEFA Champions League (UCL) is taking shape as the league season draws to a close. Eight of the 36 clubs in the European men’s football top continental club competition advance directly to the round of 16, while the teams ranked ninth through twenty-four advance to the knockout phase play-offs under the new structure.
After seven of the eight group games, English Premier League leaders Liverpool were the only team with a perfect record and the first team to secure their place in the round of 16.
Barcelona, a Spanish powerhouse, joined them with an incredible ability to score goals; with 26 goals, the Blaugrana had more goals than any other side.
Prior to the last group games, those two teams are the only ones that have advanced to the Champions League round of 16.
Six additional teams will confirm direct qualification on matchday eight of the league phase on January 29, 2025, two days before the play-off draw for the knockout stage.
2024/25 UEFA Champions League – key dates to note
- 31 January 2025: Knockout phase play-offs draw
- 11-12 February 2025: Knockout phase play-offs, first leg
- 18-19 February 2025: Knockout phase play-offs, second leg
- 4-5 March 2025: Round of 16, first leg
- 11-12 March 2025: Round of 16, second leg
- 8-9 April 2025: Quarter-finals, first leg
- 15-16 April 2025: Quarter-finals, second leg
- 29-30 April 2025: Semi-finals, first leg
- 6-7 May 2025: Semi-finals, second leg
- 31 May 2025: Final
