The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw has been completed, following the conclusion of the knockout play-off stage, setting up a series of thrilling matchups between Europe’s elite clubs.
The draw was held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, February 27, 2026, officially determining the pairings for the first knockout round.
The Round of 16 fixtures will be played over two legs, with first-leg matches scheduled for March 10 and 11, and the return legs set for March 17 and 18.
Among the headline fixtures, 15-time champions Real Madrid will face Manchester City in a repeat of recent high-stakes encounters.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have been drawn against Newcastle United, promising a clash of attacking power and tactical discipline.
Defending Champions Paris Saint-Germain will meet Chelsea, while Galatasaray face Liverpool.
Other notable fixtures include Atalanta versus Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid against Tottenham Hotspur, Bodø/Glimt facing Sporting CP after becoming the first Norwegian team to qualify for the knockout round for the first time in 34 years, and Bayer Leverkusen taking on Arsenal.
These fixtures combine teams that qualified directly from the group stage with winners from the knockout playoff round, ensuring a competitive and unpredictable Round of 16.
With top clubs from England, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Portugal, and Norway represented, the draw underscores the Champions League’s status as the pinnacle of club football.
Teams now look forward to first-leg encounters that could set the tone for advancement to the quarter-finals, keeping supporters on the edge of their seats as Europe’s most prestigious club competition continues toward its climax in Budapest on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
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Story by Erica Odeenyin Odoom | univers.ug.edu.gh
