⚖️ UEFA Champions League Round Of 16 Draw
The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw for the 2025/26 season was held on Friday, 27 February 2026, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. This draw has finalized the full knockout bracket, meaning teams now know their potential opponents through to the final in Budapest on 30 May 2026.
Confirmed Round of 16 Matchups
The draw paired the top eight teams from the league phase (seeded) against the winners of the knockout phase play-offs (unseeded).
| Match | Home (1st Leg) | Away (1st Leg) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris Saint-Germain | Chelsea |
| 2 | Galatasaray | Liverpool |
| 3 | Real Madrid | Manchester City |
| 4 | Atalanta | Bayern Munich |
| 5 | Newcastle United | Barcelona |
| 6 | Atlético de Madrid | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 7 | Bodø/Glimt | Sporting CP |
| 8 | Bayer Leverkusen | Arsenal |
Key Storylines
- Heavyweight Clash: Real Madrid vs. Manchester City is the standout fixture, continuing their modern-day rivalry in the knockout stages.
- The Fairy Tale: Norway’s Bodø/Glimt, the northernmost team to ever compete in the tournament, continues its "Arctic Circle" run against Sporting CP after eliminating Inter Milan in the playoffs.
- Premier League Dominance: Six English clubs remain in the competition, with Newcastle and Chelsea joining the top-eight finishers.
- Defending Champions: PSG will face Chelsea as they look to retain their first-ever title won last season.
Knockout Phase Schedule
- Round of 16: 10–11 March (First Legs) & 17–18 March 2026 (Second Legs).
- Quarter-finals: 7–8 April & 14–15 April 2026.
- Semi-finals: 28–29 April & 5–6 May 2026.
- Final: 30 May 2026 at the Puskás Aréna, Budapest.
Format & Bracket Rules
Under the revamped format, this draw established a fixed bracket. Seeded teams (those who finished in the top eight of the league phase) earn the advantage of playing the second leg at home. There is no "country protection" in this round, allowing teams from the same national association to face each other.
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