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The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw was made in UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, 27th February 2026.
The draw offers some tantalising fixtures that fans now excitedly anticipate.
Holders PSG were drawn against Chelsea, Galatasaray pitted against Liverpool, and
Real Madrid will face Manchester City in the knockout round for the fifth year in a row!
Furthermore, after overcoming Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta got served another German opposition in Bayern Munich, while Newcastle United will come up against Barcelona.
Lastly, Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham, Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting Lisbon and Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal complete the draw.
FootballOrbit looks at the winners and losers from the draw.
Losers: Man City & Real Madrid
Having met in the last four seasons, both Manchester City and Real Madrid would surely hope to avoid each other, at least at this stage.
And for whoever emerges as winner, a tougher tie against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals will be the reward (or consequence!!!) .
Winners: Arsenal
Arsenal’s hopes of ending a 20-year wait to return to the UEFA Champions League final got a significant boost with a favourable draw.
The Gunners will meet Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 and a win would see them face either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting Lisbon in the quarterfinals.
Tougher opposition awaits in the semifinal round, in one of Barca, Newcastle, Atletico Madrid, or Tottenham, but that’s still better than the other half of the bracket — which comprised of PSG, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Man City, and Bayern Munich.
Furthermore, the draw means Arsenal’s quest for the Premier League title will not be significantly affected.
Losers: Chelsea
For Chelsea to have a chance of winning the Champions League trophy for the third time, they must defeat the very best of European football.
Their road would require multiple heavyweight showdowns — starting with reigning Champions League holders PSG.
Should they triumph, a potential quarterfinal collision against Premier League champions Liverpool looms.
Moreover, that would be followed by a potential semi-final tie against one of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Atalanta or Bayern Munich.
Winners: Barcelona
Barcelona, the La Liga leaders, were lucky too. While other European giants landed in the heavyweight bracket, Barca landed on the comparatively softer side.
They face Newcastle United in the round of 16, while either Atlético Madrid or Tottenham awaits in the quarterfinals.
Losers: PSG
PSG, seeking to retain their title, made it through to the draw after defeating Monaco 5-4 on aggregate in a playoff match.
The reigning champions relegated to the unseeded group after failing to finish in the top eight, and were drawn against Chelsea in a clash of the titans.
Moreso, it will be a two-legged repeat of the FIFA Club World Cup final, where the Blues staged a sensational upset.
Furthermore, should they defeat Chelsea in the next round, PSG will have to survive a knockout tie with Liverpool for the second year in a row, in the quarterfinals.
Losers: Tottenham
Last season’s Europa League winners, Tottenham, emerged from the draw, pitted against Atletico Madrid. They have a tough task ahead of them to travel to the scary Metropolitano.
Additionally, Igor Tudor’s struggling side are faced with the possibility of playing Barcelona in the quarterfinals.
Winners: Bodø/Glimt & Sporting CP
Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, followed shocking league phase victories over Manchester City and Atlético Madrid by knocking out last year’s finalists, Inter Milan, in the play-offs.
Up next, they are up against another underdog in Sporting CP in the round of 16 — a reward for the tournament’s biggest shock so far.
Both clubs will be pleased with the draw as one of them will move on to the quarterfinals.
Losers: Atalanta
After overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Dortmund, Atalanta had momentum entering the final 16.
However, a very tricky draw against Bayern Munich saw the Italian side’s chances of reaching the quarterfinals dimish significantly.
Furthermore, should they upset Bayern in the round of 16, Atalanta will come up against the winner of the tie between Manchester City and Real Madrid in the last eight.
Winners: Neutral fans and UEFA
Some of the fixtures from the 2025/26 Champions League round of 16 draw offers mouthwatering showdowns for neutrals and UEFA.
PSG vs Chelsea, Real Madrid vs Manchester City are the headline fixtures that one cannot afford to miss.
Thus, much revenue will be generated by UEFA and there won’t be complaints about boring matches, even from the round of 16.
Losers: Galatasaray
Galatasaray are the biggest losers from the draw. A brutal path sent the Turkish giants’ chances of a Champions League fairytale wavering.
They are pitted against Liverpool (whom they actually overcome in the league phase) and should they emerge victorious, either PSG or Chelsea await!
The match schedules are as follows:
The round of 16 first legs are to be played March 10-11 and the second legs March 17-18;
The quarterfinals are on April 7-8 and 14-15;
The semi-finals are on April 28-29 and May 5-6;
With the final on May 30 at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
