Champions League Last-16 Draw: Everything You Need to Know
The road to the Champions League final in Budapest will become clearer this week as UEFA conducts the draw for the last-16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals. The prestigious event is scheduled for Friday, 27 February 2026, in Nyon, Switzerland, setting the stage for Europe's elite clubs to discover their knockout round opponents.
When and Where to Watch the Draw
The draw ceremony will commence at 11pm GMT (12pm local time in Switzerland). For fans eager to follow the proceedings live, UEFA will provide a free stream on its official website, YouTube channel, and the dedicated Champions League mobile application.
Teams Already Qualified for the Last-16
Eight clubs secured their spots directly by finishing at the summit of the league phase. These teams are:
- Arsenal
- Bayern Munich
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Barcelona
- Chelsea
- Sporting CP
- Manchester City
Additionally, the midweek play-off matches will determine the final eight participants, with Newcastle United strongly positioned to advance and join the five other Premier League sides already through.
Play-Off First Leg Results and Second Leg Fixtures
The play-off round features teams that placed between ninth and twenty-fourth in the initial league phase. The first legs have concluded with the following results, setting up decisive second legs this week:
- Galatasaray 5–2 Juventus
- Monaco 2–3 Paris Saint-Germain
- Benfica 0–1 Real Madrid
- Dortmund 2–0 Atalanta
- Qarabag 1–6 Newcastle United
- Olympiacos 0–2 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- Bodø/Glimt 3–1 Inter Milan
- Club Brugge 3–3 Atletico Madrid
Potential Last-16 Matchups Based on Seeding
Teams have been organised into seeded pools according to their league phase standings, dictating possible opponents. The draw structure reveals intriguing potential clashes:
- Arsenal or Bayern Munich will face the winner of either Bodø/Glimt versus Inter Milan or Benfica versus Real Madrid.
- Barcelona or Chelsea are set to meet the victor from Monaco against PSG or Qarabag against Newcastle.
- Liverpool or Tottenham could draw the winner of Club Brugge against Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray against Juventus.
- Sporting CP or Manchester City will play the winner of either Borussia Dortmund against Atalanta or Olympiacos against Bayer Leverkusen.
This seeding means Arsenal, who topped the league phase, are likely to encounter a Bundesliga opponent such as Borussia Dortmund or Leverkusen. Meanwhile, Manchester City could be pitted against Real Madrid, and Chelsea might face Newcastle if both progress.
Knockout Stage Match Dates
The Champions League calendar for the remainder of the season is as follows:
- Last-16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
- Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
- Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
- Final: 30 May 2026 in Budapest
As the draw approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling climax to the European club season, with the ultimate prize awaiting in the Hungarian capital at the end of May.
