The play-off round of the UEFA Champions League is set to determine the final seven spots in the league phase for the 2026/27 season. As teams prepare for their crucial matches, several key storylines and statistics are emerging ahead of the fixtures.

Upcoming Fixtures

The first legs of the play-offs will take place on August 18 and 19, featuring several exciting matchups. Notable fixtures include:

• Levski Sofia vs AEK Athens
• GNK Dinamo vs Viking FK
• Fenerbahçe vs Lyon
• Hapoel Beer-Sheva vs Sabah
• Celtic vs LASK
• Slovan Bratislava vs Celje
• N.E.C. vs Bodø/Glimt

The second legs will follow on August 25 and 26, with all matches kicking off at 21:00 CET unless otherwise noted.

Key Match Previews

Fenerbahçe and Lyon, both eager to return to the Champions League, will face off in a highly anticipated clash. Fenerbahçe has qualified for the play-offs after defeating Górnik Zabrze and Sturm Graz, while Lyon overcame a first-leg setback against Sparta Praha. Historically, Lyon has had the upper hand in their previous encounters, winning all four matches when they met in the main stage during the 2000s. Their last meeting was a goalless draw in the Europa League in January 2025.

Levski Sofia is aiming to qualify for the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2006. The Bulgarian team has struggled in recent European play-offs, having been eliminated in the final round of UEFA Conference League qualifying in both 2023 and 2025. In contrast, AEK Athens enjoyed a successful season under Marko Nikolić, clinching the Greek title and reaching the last eight of the Conference League, where they narrowly lost to Rayo Vallecano.

GNK Dinamo will take on Viking FK, who recently celebrated their first Norwegian title in 34 years. This return to the Champions League is particularly significant for joint-coach Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim, who has a long history with the club as a former player.

As the play-off round approaches, the excitement builds for teams looking to secure their place in the prestigious Champions League group stage. Each match promises to deliver thrilling football and high stakes as clubs vie for a chance at European glory.