The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League is entering its decisive phase. After a dramatic playoff round, the continental tournament is preparing for the draw for the round of 16, an event that will not only define the upcoming matches, but also the entire road to the final at the Puskas Arena. Lionel Messi opens up on Liga MX and Mexican fans Eight clubs had already secured their direct passage after finishing in the top eight of the league phase, while another eight had to overcome the play-off round to keep their European dream alive. When is the round of 16 draw? The draw will take place on Friday, February 27 at 11:00 am GMT (6:00 am ET / 3:00 am PT), less than 48 hours after the playoffs are concluded. Where to watch the draw? UEFA will broadcast the event live via: UEFA.com UEFA.tv Official Champions League app How does the draw work? The top eight finishers in the league phase advanced directly to the round of 16. The eight playoff winners are added Four seeded pairs were established according to their final position. Each pair will be placed on opposite sides of the draw. The draw will also define the road to the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The procedure will begin with the seventh and eighth places: Sporting CP and Manchester City, and conclude with the first and second: Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Teams qualified for the round of 16 Arsenal Bayern Munich Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur Barcelona Chelsea Sporting CP Manchester City Teams qualified for the playoffs: Real Madrid (Who beat Benfica 3-1 on aggregate) Bodø/Glimt (Who beat Inter Milan 5-2 on aggregate) Paris Saint-Germain (Who beat Monaco 5-4 on aggregate) Newcastle United (Who beat Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate) Galatasaray (Who beat Juventus 4-3 on aggregate) Atletico Madrid (Who beat Club Brugge 7-4 on aggregate) Atalanta (Who beat Borussia Dortmund 4-3 on aggregate) Bayer Leverkusen (Who beat Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate) Possible key matches Arsenal / Bayern Munich vs Atalanta / Leverkusen Liverpool / Tottenham vs Galatasaray / Atletico Barcelona / Chelsea vs PSG / Newcastle Sporting CP / Manchester City vs Real Madrid / Bodø/Glimt The draw will not only define the round of 16, but will also mark the entire route to Budapest. With European giants still in the running, the Champions League promises a spring full of excitement on the way to a final that is already beginning to be felt.
