The UEFA Champions League knockout stage draw, determining the round of 16 matchups, will take place on February 27, 2026, in Nyon, Switzerland. Sixteen teams have qualified, including eight direct from the league phase and eight playoff winners. The round of 16 ties begin in mid-March.
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League enters its knockout phase following the conclusion of the playoff ties. The draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals is set for Friday, February 27, at 11:00 GMT in Nyon, Switzerland. It will be broadcast live on UEFA's website, UEFA.tv, and the official app.
The top eight teams from the league phase advanced directly: Arsenal, who finished first with a perfect record of eight wins; Bayern Munich; Liverpool; Tottenham Hotspur; Barcelona; Chelsea; Sporting CP; and Manchester City. These seeded teams will host the second legs of their round of 16 ties.
The playoff winners, who overcame two-legged ties, include Atlético Madrid (7-4 aggregate over Club Brugge), Newcastle United (9-3 over Qarabag), Bayer Leverkusen (2-0 over Olympiacos), Bodø/Glimt (5-2 over Inter Milan), Atalanta (4-3 over Borussia Dortmund), Real Madrid (3-1 over Benfica), Paris Saint-Germain (5-4 over Monaco), and Galatasaray (7-5 over Juventus after extra time).
Notable playoff moments included Vinicius Junior's 80th-minute winner for Real Madrid against Benfica, securing a 2-1 second-leg victory amid an ongoing racism investigation. Atalanta's dramatic late penalty by Lazar Samardzic eliminated Dortmund, while Bodø/Glimt's upset over Inter marked a historic achievement for the Norwegian side.
The round of 16 first legs are scheduled for March 10 and 11, with second legs on March 17 and 18. Quarter-finals follow in April, semi-finals in late April and early May, and the final on May 30 at Puskás Aréna in Budapest.
Teams from the same association can be drawn against each other, and previous league-phase opponents may rematch. Possible pairings are grouped: for example, Arsenal or Bayern Munich will face Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen.
