The battle for the Champions League group stage is over. The battle for the Champions League knockout rounds is about to begin. But we have to wait a couple months.
The final group stage matches on Wednesday set the teams for the Champions League Round of 16, with eight group winners and eight group runners-up facing off. The draw to determine the matchups will be held on Dec. 11 in Nyon, Switzerland.
Finally, after an excruciatingly long wait, the Champions League knockout rounds begin on Feb. 13. For the Round of 16 there will be four dates for first legs (Feb. 13, 14, 20, 21) and four for the second legs (March 6, 7, 13, 14).
The winners in the Round of 16 will be involved in a quarterfinal draw on March 16. The Champions League quarterfinals will be played over the first two weeks in April. The first legs will be April 3 and 4 while the second legs will be April 10 and 11.
The final draw for the Champions League will be for the semifinals on April 13. (The draw will also determine who is the designated home team for the final, though the final is at a neutral location.) The semifinals will be played April 24-25 (first legs) and May 1-2 (second legs).
The Champions League final is scheduled for May 26 in NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine.
Champions League Knockout Rounds
Round of 16 — Feb. 13-21
Quarterfinals — April 3-11
Semifinals — April 24-May 2
Final — May 26