The full draw for the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 has been confirmed, mapping out the knockout stage, quarter-finals, and semi-finals and setting up another major showdown between Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Manchester City and Real Madrid will meet in the knockout rounds for the sixth time since the 2019–20 season. It is the first time in Champions League history that two teams have faced each other in the knockout stages for five consecutive seasons.
The sides have already played once this season, with City coming from behind to beat the 15-time European champions 2–1 in December’s league-phase match.
Defending champions Paris St Germain were drawn against Chelsea in a repeat of last year’s heated Club World Cup final, which Chelsea won.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior said he was excited by the matchup, describing PSG as a team he has always admired from his experience in France.
Premier League leaders Arsenal avoided the tournament’s biggest names after finishing top of the league phase with a perfect record of eight wins. They will face Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
If Arsenal progress, they will meet either Sporting or Bodo/Glimt in the quarter-finals. Manager Mikel Arteta said his side earned their strong position through their league-phase performances.
Bayern Munich will play Atalanta, with a potential quarter-final against Real Madrid or Manchester City awaiting the winner.
Newcastle United were drawn against Barcelona, renewing a matchup from the league phase. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised Newcastle’s quality and warned of a difficult tie.
Elsewhere, Liverpool will face Galatasaray, while Atletico Madrid meet Tottenham Hotspur.
Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, who have already beaten City, Atletico, and Inter Milan this season, will take on Sporting.
UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Draw
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting
Paris St Germain vs Chelsea
Newcastle United vs Barcelona
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
Quarter-Finals
QF1: PSG/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
QF2: Real Madrid/Man City vs Atalanta/Bayern
QF3: Newcastle/Barcelona vs Atletico/Tottenham
QF4: Bodo/Sporting vs Leverkusen/Arsenal
Semi-Finals
Semi-final 1: QF1 winners vs QF2 winners
Semi-final 2: QF3 winners vs QF4 winners
