Key Celtic 2025/26 Champions League play-off dates revealed
For the past three campaigns, the Parkhead side have entered European football's most prestigious club competition by simply winning the Scottish Premiership in the previous term. That isn't the case this time around.
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Indeed, Brendan Rodgers' men will have to go through a play-off round to reach the league phase.
They will be seeded for the draw and could face the likes of FC Basel, Sturm Graz, FCSB, Lech Poznan, and Slovan Bratislava, although their full list of potential opponents will be narrowed down nearer the time.
Should they win their play-off, it would be the first time in Celtic's history that the club has qualified for the Champions League proper four seasons in a row.
Key Celtic 2025/26 Champions League dates
The draw for Celtic's Champions League play-off is on Monday, August 4.
The first leg of the play-off itself will then take place on Tuesday, August 19 or Wednesday, August 20. The return tie will be played the following week, on Tuesday, August 26 or Wednesday, August 27.
Seeding takes no relevance in determining whether Celtic will be at home or away in the first or second leg. The draw will determine that.
Should Celtic then win their play-off, they will enter the league phase draw, which is on Thursday, August 28.
The league phase takes the same format as last year. Rodgers' side, should they qualify, will play eight different teams, four at home and four away, in games spanning from September through to January.
Champions League 2025/26 league phase dates
Matchday 1: 16-18 September 2025
Matchday 2: 30 September-October 2025
Matchday 3: 21/22 October 2025
Matchday 4: 4/5 November 2025
Matchday 5: 25/26 November 2025
Matchday 6: 9/10 December 2025
Matchday 7: 20/21 January 2026
Matchday 8: 28 January 2026
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