The Champions League Round of 16 draw is one of the most anticipated dates on the European football calendar, especially under UEFA’s new 36-team format.
With the league phase concluding on January 28, and the playoff stage set to conclude on Wednesday, February 25, attention now turns to the Champions League Round of 16 draw, where the knockout bracket will be fully set all the way to the final in Budapest.
Here is everything you need to know about the Champions League Round of 16 draw, including the date, time, confirmed teams and how the knockout stage tree works.
When Is the Champions League Round of 16 Draw?
The Champions League Round of 16 draw will take place on Friday, February 27. As is tradition, the ceremony will be held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, starting at 12:00 CET.
The gap between the end of the league phase and the Champions League Round of 16 draw exists because of the newly introduced knockout playoff round. Teams that finished between ninth and 24th in the league table must navigate a two-legged playoff before joining the top eight in the Round of 16.
The playoff first legs were scheduled for February 17 and 18 and have been played, with second legs on February 24 and 25. The winners of those ties complete the Champions League Round of 16 draw lineup.
How the Champions League Round of 16 Draw Works
Under the new format, the top eight teams from the league phase automatically qualify for the Round of 16 as seeded sides.
These seeded teams will host the second leg of their Round of 16 ties. The remaining eight places are filled by winners from the knockout playoff round.
The Champions League Round of 16 draw follows a pre-mapped bracket system. Unlike the old format, there are no country protection rules from this stage onward. Clubs from the same nation can face each other, and there will be no further draws after the Round of 16 draw until the final.
Once the Champions League Round of 16 draw is completed, each team’s route to the final is locked in.
Champions League Round of 16 Draw: Possible Matchups
The knockout stage tree has already outlined potential opponents based on league phase finishing positions.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich, who finished first and second respectively, will face the winner of either Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund or Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur could meet Juventus, Galatasaray, Atletico Madrid or Club Brugge depending on playoff outcomes.
Barcelona and Chelsea are set to draw from either Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle United vs Qarabag.
Sporting CP and Manchester City may be paired with Inter Milan, Bodo/Glimt, Real Madrid or Benfica.
Galatasary, Dortmund, and Newcastle appear to have one foot in the round of 16 with resounding victories in the first leg of the playoffs. Bodo Glimt, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and PSG will be looking to build on their first leg victories, while Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid will be looking for something to separate them following their 3-3 draw in the first leg.
The Champions League Round of 16 draw therefore promises heavyweight clashes, especially if big-name clubs progress through the playoff round.
Knockout Stage Tree Explained
The Champions League Round of 16 draw is part of a fixed knockout bracket that extends to the final. Round of 16 winners will advance to predetermined quarterfinal slots. Quarterfinal ties are scheduled for April 7/8 and April 14/15.
Semifinal first legs take place on April 28 and 29, with second legs on May 5 and 6. The final will be held on May 30 in Budapest, just 12 days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Because the entire bracket is mapped during the Champions League Round of 16 draw, teams will know their potential semifinal and final opponents immediately after the ceremony.
When Are the Round of 16 Matches?
The Round of 16 ties will be played across two consecutive weeks. First legs are scheduled for March 10 and 11, while second legs will take place on March 17 and 18.
The away goals rule no longer applies in the Champions League. If aggregate scores are level after 90 minutes of the second leg, ties will go to extra time and, if necessary, penalties.
The Champions League Round of 16 draw sets the stage for what is often the most dramatic phase of the competition. With the bracket locked and potential heavyweight clashes looming, European football’s biggest nights are just around the corner.
