TThe 2025-26 UEFA Champions League has entered a decisive stage. After a dramatic playoff round, the continental tournament is preparing for the round of 16 draw. This event will not only decide the upcoming matches, but also the entire path to the final at Puskas Arena.
Eight clubs had already qualified directly by finishing in the top eight in the league, while the remaining eight clubs had to make it through the play-off rounds to keep their European dreams alive.
When is the round of 16 draw?
The drawing will take place within 48 hours of the end of the playoffs, on Friday, February 27th at 11:00 a.m. Japan Time (6:00 a.m. ET/3:00 a.m. PT).
Where can I watch the drawing?
UEFA will broadcast the event live in the following ways:
UEFA.comUEFA.tv Champions League Official App
How is the lottery conducted?
The top eight teams in the league phase will advance directly to the Round of 16. Eight playoff winners will be added. Four seed pairs were set according to the final ranking. Each pair is placed on opposite sides of the draw. The draw also determines the path to the quarterfinals and semifinals.
The procedure starts with Sporting CP and Manchester City in 7th and 8th place and ends with Arsenal and Bayern Munich in 1st and 2nd place.
Teams advancing to the round of 16
Arsenal Bayern Munich Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur Barcelona Chelsea Sporting CP Manchester City
Teams that qualified for the playoffs:
Real Madrid (beat 3-1 on aggregate over Benfica) Bodo/Glimt (beat on Inter Milan 5-2 on aggregate) Paris Saint-Germain (beat on Monaco 5-4 on aggregate) Newcastle United (beat on Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate) Galatasaray (beat on Juventus 4-3 on aggregate) Atletico Madrid (beat on Club Brugge 7-4 on aggregate) Atalanta (the team that beat Borussia Dortmund 4-3 on aggregate) Bayer Leverkusen (the team that beat Olympiakos 2-0 on aggregate)
Likelihood of key match
Arsenal / Bayern Munich vs Atalanta / Leverkusen
Liverpool / Tottenham vs Galatasaray / Atletico
Barcelona / Chelsea vs PSG / Newcastle
Sporting CP / Manchester City vs Real Madrid / Bodd/Glimt
This draw will not only determine the round of 16, but also indicate the entire route to Budapest. The Champions League, which still features Europe’s best teams, promises an exciting spring ahead of the final, and it’s already starting to be felt.
