UEFA has announced the draw for the 2026-27 Champions League playoffs, revealing that Celtic will face LASK, while Lyon may encounter Fenerbahce as teams vie for a place in the league phase of the tournament.

Playoff Details

The playoff round is a crucial stage for clubs aiming to secure their position in Europe's premier club competition. The first legs of the playoffs are set to take place on August 18-19, with the return matches scheduled for August 25-26. The winners of these matchups will advance to the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.

As the playoff draw took place in Nyon, Switzerland, it highlighted several exciting potential matchups. Notably, if both Lyon and Fenerbahce progress from their respective third qualifying round ties, they will face off in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Additionally, Celtic's matchup against LASK adds to the anticipation surrounding the playoffs.

Upcoming Fixtures

In the League Path, the potential clash between Lyon and Fenerbahce is particularly noteworthy, with Czech champions Sparta Prague and Austria's Sturm Graz also in contention. Meanwhile, Olympiakos or NEC Nijmegen will meet either Union Saint-Gilloise or Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in another closely contested fixture.

On the Champions Path, Celtic's match against LASK is poised to be a high-stakes affair, with the victors moving on to the league phase. Other notable fixtures include AEK Athens facing either Levski Sofia or Kairat Almaty, and Dinamo Zagreb or Kauno Zalgiris going up against Viking. Additional matches will see Mjallby or Slovan Bratislava take on either Ararat-Armenia or Celje, while Hapoel Beer-Sheva or Red Star Belgrade will compete against AGF Aarhus or Sabah.

The upcoming playoff round promises to deliver exciting football as clubs strive for a coveted spot in the Champions League. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the action on the pitch as the competition heats up.