The UEFA Champions League knockout stage is upon us, and football fans across the globe are buzzing with anticipation. The draw for the 2025-26 Round of 16 took place on February 27, 2026, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. With the league phase wrapped up and the playoff drama settled, all eyes now turn to the blockbuster matchups and the road that leads to the grand finale in Budapest on May 30.
The drama in the playoffs set the stage for a knockout phase brimming with storylines. Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus both crashed out in the playoff round, with Inter falling to Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt and Juventus succumbing to Galatasaray after a wild two-legged affair. Real Madrid, meanwhile, kept their remarkable run of consecutive knockout appearances alive by dispatching Benfica in a heated tie that saw Vinícius Júnior score a decisive goal and celebrate with his trademark corner-flag dance, despite being jeered by Benfica fans. Benfica’s coach, Jose Mourinho, was notably absent from the dugout due to suspension, adding to the tension of the occasion.
Paris Saint-Germain, the defending champions, narrowly survived a scare against Monaco, clinching their place in the Round of 16 thanks to a late surge and a timely red card to Monaco’s Mamadou Coulibaly. Atalanta, now flying the flag for Italy, produced one of the most dramatic moments of the playoffs, overturning a deficit against Borussia Dortmund with a last-gasp penalty by Lazar Samardzic in stoppage time. The result ensured Italy’s continued presence in the latter stages, maintaining a streak that dates back to 2003-04.
So, who made the cut for the knockout rounds? The eight seeded teams—those who finished atop the league phase—are Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, and Manchester City. They were joined by the playoff victors: Real Madrid, PSG, Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Galatasaray, and Bodo/Glimt. Notably, five Premier League teams feature among the last 16, with Newcastle joining via the playoffs.
The draw itself, streamed live on multiple platforms including UEFA’s website, Paramount+, and TNT Sports, revealed a tantalizing set of fixtures. Arsenal, who topped the league phase, were paired with Bayer Leverkusen. Bayern Munich will take on Atalanta, Liverpool face Galatasaray, and Tottenham Hotspur have drawn Atletico Madrid. Barcelona’s reward is a clash against Newcastle United, while Chelsea will battle Paris Saint-Germain in a headline-grabbing tie. Manchester City, for the fifth consecutive season, will face Real Madrid—a rivalry that has become a modern Champions League classic. Sporting CP, meanwhile, will meet Bodo/Glimt, who continue their fairytale run after stunning Inter Milan in the playoffs.
The knockout stage format remains unchanged: each tie will be played over two legs, with aggregate scores deciding who advances. Importantly, the away goals rule will not apply; if teams are level after both legs, extra time and, if necessary, penalties will determine the winner. This structure ensures that drama is never far away, and every minute counts.
Here’s the full slate of Round of 16 fixtures:
• Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
• Bayern Munich vs Atalanta
• Liverpool vs Galatasaray
• Tottenham Hotspur vs Atletico Madrid
• Barcelona vs Newcastle United
• Chelsea vs Paris Saint-Germain
• Manchester City vs Real Madrid
• Sporting CP vs Bodo/Glimt
Fans won’t have to wait long for the action to resume. The first legs are scheduled for March 10 and 11, with the return fixtures on March 17 and 18. Quarterfinals will take place in early and mid-April, followed by the semifinals at the end of April and early May. The grand finale is set for May 30 in Budapest, a city that’s no stranger to hosting European football’s biggest nights.
The playoff round was not without its controversies and emotional moments. Vinícius Júnior’s celebration after scoring against Benfica was a direct response to the abuse he faced in the first leg. According to the Associated Press, "Playing a week after being the target of alleged racial abuse in the first leg against Benfica, Vinícius wrapped up Madrid’s 2-1 win over the Portuguese team—and a 3-1 victory on aggregate—with his team’s second goal in the 80th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium." Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was provisionally banned for one match by UEFA following the incident, and Mourinho’s absence only heightened the sense of drama.
Elsewhere, Juventus’ bid for a miraculous comeback ended in heartbreak. Despite overcoming a red card and taking the game to extra time, Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen and Barış Yılmaz found the net to send the Turkish side through on aggregate. Atalanta’s last-kick penalty against Dortmund, awarded after a VAR review, was described as sparking "joyous scenes inside the stadium in Bergamo."
With Inter and Juventus out, Atalanta stand as Serie A’s sole representative in the Round of 16. Napoli, last season’s champions, didn’t even make the playoffs, finishing a disappointing 30th in the league phase. Bodo/Glimt’s run has captured the imagination of neutrals everywhere, especially after their upset win over Inter Milan. The Norwegian side now faces Sporting CP, with dreams of further glory.
Premier League clubs continue to dominate the latter stages, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Newcastle all in the mix. According to the latest odds from UK bookmakers, Arsenal are slight favorites to lift the trophy at 7/2, followed closely by Bayern Munich and PSG. Manchester City and Barcelona are also among the frontrunners, but with Real Madrid’s pedigree and PSG’s title defense still alive, predicting a winner feels like a fool’s errand at this stage.
The Champions League’s knockout stage is always a cauldron of pressure, passion, and unpredictability. With heavyweight clashes, underdog stories, and personal rivalries set to play out, this year’s edition promises more of the same. Will Manchester City finally get past Real Madrid? Can Bodo/Glimt keep their fairytale alive? Will Arsenal’s impressive league phase translate to knockout success? The answers will unfold over the coming months as Europe’s elite chase continental glory.
As the countdown to March 10 begins, fans can only speculate, debate, and dream. One thing’s for sure: the road to Budapest is paved with intrigue, and the world will be watching every step of the way.