A thrilling finale could be in store as the knockout places are determined
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Knockout places are up for grabs as the Champions League reaches a thrilling finale to the competition league phase.
All fixtures on this final matchday will kick off simultaneously with the action set to come thick and fast as the qualifiers for the round of 16 and knockout play-offs are determined. The second year of this new format has again set up an ending with plenty of intrigue, with only Arsenal and Bayern Munich assured of their spots in the top eight and a handful of sides fully eliminated.
It could be a big night forNewcastle United, who take on holders Paris Saint-Germain knowing a win would be enough to avoid the play-offs. Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea all also currently occupy positions in the elite eight despite their domestic up and downs, with Manchester City in contention, too — all will know plenty can change in what promises to be a hectic couple of hours of European football...
Follow all of the latest from the Champions League finale with our live blog below:
Champions League finale live
League phase of Champions League set for thrilling finale with every fixture kicking off at 8pm GMT
Top eight qualifiers progress to round of 16; next 16 finishers face two-legged play-off
Arsenal and Bayern Munich are assured of top-eight finish
Five other Premier League clubs are in contention
Chelsea fans have been warned to take 'extreme caution' ahead of Napoli clash
1 minute ago
Arsenal already through to last-16
For two teams, Arsenal and Bayern Munich, tonight’s matches are dead rubbers.
They are fighting it out amongst themselves for whoever finishes first in the table but both have already qualified for the last-16.
Arsenal top the table with a 100% winning record of seven from seven and have 21 points meaning only Bayern can catch them.
With 18 points, Bayern cannot finish lower than fourth even if they lose tonight meaning they have qualified for the next round proper as well.
That also means that six places in the top eight are up for grabs.
Currently sitting third to eighth are: Real Madrid, Liverpool, Tottenham, PSG, Newcastle and Chelsea. However there are five other teams all within one victory of them and could nick a qualifying spot if results go their way.
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mike Jones28 January 2026 17:06
7 minutes ago
What's at stake tonight?
Tonight sees the conclusion of the Champions League league phase with 18 matches taking place simultaneously to determine the end result of the table.
Those sides who finish in the top eight will automatically make it through to the last-16 knockout round while the following 16 sides with enter a two-legged play-off to determine who progresses.
The bottom eight teams are eliminated from the competition.
There’s plenty at stake and all six Premier League clubs are in with a chance of finishing in the top eight so we’ll see how things play out.
Mike Jones28 January 2026 17:00
5 hours ago
Champions League finale live
Permutations at the ready....
The finale to the league phase of the Champions League is here, promising to provide plenty of action, twists and turns as the knockout qualifiers are determined. All EIGHTEEN games kick off simultaneously at 8pm GMT this evening, with the top eight finishers progressing directly to the round of 16 and 16 more into the knockout play offs, with the rest left to stew over the mistakes of a campaign cut short.
We’ll have every goal covered throughout what could be a hectic night.
The Champions League hots up this evening
The Champions League hots up this evening (Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Harry Latham-Coyle28 January 2026 11:36