The UEFA Champions League knockout round draw is Friday, with 24 of Europe's top soccer clubs entering the playoff phase. Here's what to know.

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Draw made Friday for the knockout playoffs round in the UEFA Champions League: Atalanta (Italy) vs. Club Brugge (Belgium) – winner will play Lille or Aston Villa

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.

Friday morning, UEFA conducted the draw for the Champion League's new playoff phase, which essentially adds one more round to the previous format's knockout stage. 16 teams were sorted, with pairings influenced (but not entirely determined) by order of finish in the group stage.

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

The UEFA Champions League returns Jan. 21 after a break that lasted over a month. Barcelona and Liverpool headline Tuesday's action.

The field for the Champions League knockout playoff round is set after Friday's draw. This marks the first year of the new 36-club format in the league

Some of Europe's biggest clubs have been busy in the January transfer window. But will their new signings be available to play in the knockout stages of UEFA competitions?

Eight teams have been sent home as the tournament shifts from the group stage to the quarterfinals this spring.