Champions League Last-16 Draw: Time, Qualified Teams and How to Watch Live
The highly anticipated Champions League knockout draw for the last-16, quarter-finals and semi-finals is scheduled to take place in Nyon, Switzerland this morning. Europe's elite clubs will discover their opponents for the next stage of the competition, setting the stage for thrilling encounters in the pursuit of continental glory.
When is the Champions League Last-16 Draw?
The draw will commence at 11am GMT, which corresponds to 12pm local time in Switzerland. Football fans across the globe can mark their calendars for this pivotal moment in the tournament's calendar.
How to Watch the Draw Online
UEFA will provide a live stream of the draw on their official website, YouTube channel and the dedicated Champions League app. This ensures that supporters can follow the proceedings in real-time from any location with internet access.
Qualified Teams for the Last-16
The top eight sides from the league phase have already secured their places in the knockout rounds. These teams are:
- Arsenal
- Bayern Munich
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Barcelona
- Chelsea
- Sporting CP
- Manchester City
Additionally, eight more teams advanced via the play-offs, completing the last-16 lineup. The play-off results, after two legs, are as follows:
- Atletico Madrid 7-4 Club Brugge
- Newcastle 9-3 Qarabag
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-0 Olympiacos
- Bodø/Glimt 5–2 Inter Milan
- Galatasaray 7–5 Juventus
- Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 Monaco
- Real Madrid 3-1 Benfica
- Atalanta 4-3 Dortmund
Draw Permutations and Possible Opponents
Teams have been grouped into seeded couplets based on their league phase finishes, determining potential matchups. Notably, clubs from the same national league can face each other in the knockout rounds. The draw permutations are outlined below:
- Barcelona and Chelsea will be drawn against: PSG or Newcastle
- Liverpool and Tottenham will be drawn against: Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray
- Sporting and Manchester City will be drawn against: Bodo/Glimt or Real Madrid
- Arsenal and Bayern Munich will be drawn against: Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen
Intriguingly, Arsenal, who topped the league phase, could meet a Bundesliga or Serie A opponent, with both Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta progressing from the play-offs. Manchester City might face Real Madrid for the fifth consecutive season or a rematch with the fairytale story of Bodo/Glimt. Meanwhile, one of Liverpool or Tottenham will meet Atletico Madrid, and Chelsea and Newcastle could potentially draw each other.
Match Dates for the Knockout Stages
The last-16 ties are set to unfold in mid-March, with the following schedule for the remaining rounds:
- Round of 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
Favourites to Lift the Trophy
According to the latest odds from UK bookmakers, Arsenal are currently the favourites to win the Champions League this season. The odds are as follows:
- Arsenal – 7/2
- Bayern Munich – 9/2
- PSG – 7/1
- Manchester City – 7/1
- Barcelona – 8/1
- Liverpool – 9/1
- Real Madrid – 10/1
Odds are provided by BoyleSports and are correct at the time of publication but subject to change. Terms and conditions apply to all offers.
It is important to note that gambling can be addictive. Always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites offer tools such as deposit limits and time outs to help maintain control. If you believe you have a gambling problem, advice and support are available from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.
