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Champions League Play-Offs 2025/26 Free Streams: TV Channels, Schedule & Preview

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Real Madrid and reigning champions PSG have to navigate the playoffs

Achraf Hakimi and Goncalo Ramos looking dejected after a PSG defeat
(Image credit: Damien Meyer/AFP via Getty Images)
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Champions League holders PSG and 15-time winners Real Madrid each took their eye off the ball during the UCL group phase to inexplicably end up in the playoff pool for the knockouts. Each tie is two-legged.

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Stage

Play-Off Round

First Legs

Tuesday, Feb 17 and Wednesday, Feb 18

Free Streaming (Ireland)

Virgin Media Play & RTÉ Player

Unlock your free stream

NordVPN (save 74%)

PSG had led the standings at the beginning of November, only to win one and lose two of their final five fixtures and plummet to 11th. It's worth noting, however, that Luis Enrique's men finished 15th in the standings a year ago. There's a note of jeopardy about their tie with Monaco, however, because The Monegasques won their sole Ligue 1 meeting of the capmpaign so far, courtesy of a Takumi Minamino strike – despite being a man down for the last 10 minutes.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, face another unwanted reunion with Jose Mourinho. Benfica reached the playoffs in unforgettable fashion, thanks to Anatoliy Trubin's 98th-minute glancing header against Los Blancos three weeks ago. Madrid, remember, are now under the tutelage of rookie head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who seems to have ridden out a dreadful start to his tenure.

Several ties look ripe for an upset, including Qarabag vs Newcastle, Club Brugge vs Atleti, and Bodo/Glimt vs Inter. Champions League knockout phase debutants Qarabag have scored two or more goals in their last six UCL home games, whereas Newcastle have won just two of their last 15 away in Europe; Brugge have scored three or more in five of their six European home games this season; Bodo/Glimt have scored two or more in six of their last eight fixtures.

Read on below for a complete guide to where to watch the 2026 Champions League Knockout Phase online, on TV and potentially for free.

Can I watch Champions League Knockout Phase 2026 free of charge?

Yes. Select Champions League Knockout Phase games are being shown on free-to-air Virgin Media and RTÉ channels in Ireland, with live streaming available via Virgin Media Play & RTÉ Player.

Free Champions League coverage is also available in Pakistan via Tapmad, in Belgium through RTL Play and VTM Go, and in Luxembourg via RTL2.

Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to tune in free of charge as if you were right at home. NordVPN is our top pick of the options.

Free this week:

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Match

Date

Kick-Off (GMT / ET)

Free Channel

Galatasaray vs Juventus

Tuesday, February 17

5.45pm / 12.45pm

Virgin Media Play, Tapmad

Monaco vs PSG

Tuesday, February 17

8pm / 3pm

Virgin Media Play

Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta

Tuesday, February 17

8pm / 3pm

Tapmad

Qarabag vs Newcastle

Wednesday, February 18

5.45pm / 12.45pm

Virgin Media Play, Tapmad

Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid

Wednesday, February 18

8pm / 3pm

Virgin Media Play, Tapmad

Bodo/Glimt v Inter Milan

Wednesday, February 18

8pm / 3pm

RTÉ Player, Tapmad

Remember: All games kick off at 8pm GMT / 3pm ET unless otherwise stated

How to watch any Champions League Knockout Phase game using a VPN

A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with a 74% discount and Amazon Gift Card thrown in on some plans.

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How to watch Champions League Knockout Phase 2026 in the US

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Soccer fans in the US can watch the Champions League on Paramount+.

Paramount+. plans start at $8.99 per month and go up to $13.99 per month. You can also watch the EFL Championship, Europa League and Conference League on the platform.

Outside of the US? Use a VPN to watch Paramount Plus from abroad while you're away from home.

How to watch Champions League Knockout Phase 2026 in the UK

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(Image credit: Future)

In the UK, Champions League games are shown on TNT Sports and Amazon Prime, with TNT showing 187 of the 204 games.

You can add TNT Sports to your TV package or fork out £30.99 per month for a Discovery Plus plan that includes TNT Sports.

Amazon Prime costs £8.99 per month or £95 per year, but new customers can get a 30-day free trial before committing. Students or people aged 18‑22 pay £4.49/month or £47.49/year.

Traveling away from the UK right now? Use a VPN to watch Discovery+ or Amazon Prime from abroad while you're away from home.

Official Champions League Knockout Phase 2026 broadcasters by region

Africa

Americas

Europe

Asia

Oceania

Middle East

Can I watch Champions League Knockout Phase games on my mobile?

Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.

You can also stay up-to-date with all 2025/26 Champions League key moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@ChampionsLeague), Instagram (@ChampionsLeague), TikTok (@ChampionsLeague) and UEFA's YouTube (@UEFA).

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Aatif Sulleyman
Aatif Sulleyman

Aatif is a freelance copywriter and journalist based in the UK. He’s written about technology, science and politics for publications including Gizmodo, The Independent, Trusted Reviews and Newsweek, but focuses on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: sport and penny-pinching.

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