The thrilling knockout playoff phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League has now reached its conclusion! Following a dramatic series of matches that saw prominent clubs like Internazionale and Juventus exit the tournament, we now have a confirmed list of the 16 elite teams still vying for European football’s most prestigious prize.
With the playoff drama behind us, the highly anticipated draw for the round of 16 is imminent. But who are the participants in this crucial draw, and what exactly is the process?
Here’s everything you need to know about the next significant event on the Champions League calendar.
When Will the Round of 16 Draw Take Place?
The draw for the knockout playoff round is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, at 6 a.m. ET (11 a.m. GMT).
The round-of-16 matches themselves are slated for March 10-11 and March 17-18.
Which Clubs Have Qualified for the Round of 16?
The eight highest-ranked teams from the league phase automatically advanced to the round of 16 and will hold seeded positions in the draw. These teams are paired based on their final standings in the league phase. For instance, top-ranked Arsenal is paired with second-place Bayern Munich, third-place Liverpool with fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur, and so forth.
Seeded Teams (Top Eight from League Phase):
Arsenal
Bayern Munich
Liverpool
Tottenham
Barcelona
Chelsea
Sporting CP
Manchester City
Unseeded Teams (Winners of the Knockout Playoff Round):
Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain
Newcastle United
Atletico Madrid
Atalanta
Bayer Leverkusen
Galatasaray
Bodø/Glimt
How Will the Draw Operate?
Beginning with the teams ranked seventh and eighth (Sporting CP and Man City), each pair of seeded teams will be allocated to one of two positions against an appropriate unseeded team. The draw conducted in January determined the bracket placement for each winner from the knockout playoff round, meaning only the seeded teams will be drawn into their respective slots.
By the conclusion of the draw, the complete bracket will be established, revealing each team’s potential path through the subsequent knockout rounds.
Here is the current bracket configuration prior to the draw.
What Are the Possible Matchups?
Potential Round-of-16 Fixtures:
Arsenal or Bayern Munich will play either:
Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen
Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur will play either:
Atlético Madrid or Galatasaray
Barcelona or Chelsea will play either:
Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle United
Sporting CP or Manchester City will play either:
Real Madrid or Bodø/Glimt
Is There Any Country Protection?
No – clubs from the same nation are permitted to be drawn against each other. For instance, Chelsea and Newcastle United could potentially meet in the round of 16.
Clubs may also be matched against opponents they encountered during the league phase.
What Are the Remaining Key Champions League Dates This Season?
Round of 16: March 10-11, March 17-18
Quarterfinals: April 7-8, April 14-15
Semifinals: April 28-29, May 5-6
Final: May 30 (Budapest, Hungary)