Champions League Round of 16: All the Blockbuster Clashes That Could Define 2025-26

The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoffs have reached the midway point, and with four additional teams booking their places in the subsequent round, the potential round of 16 pairings are becoming more defined.

Tuesday's second leg of the knockout phase playoff encounters took the spotlight. In the early match, Atlético Madrid prevented a shock result and demolished Club Brugge 4–1 to advance to the last 16.

Newcastle United finished their destruction of Qarabağ, while Bayer Leverkusen accomplished their task against Olympiacos with ease.

However, it was Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt who pulled off the tournament's most significant surprise thus far, traveling to San Siro and capitalizing on their first leg lead to knock out last season's runners-up Inter Milan.

With 12 clubs now through to the next stage, the possible Champions League round of 16 encounters are beginning to crystallize.

Every Potential Champions League Round of 16 Matchup

Every Potential Champions League Round of 16 Matchup

Some incredibly exciting fixtures could be developing as the round of 16 possible pairings become more focused.

A round of 16 "Der Klassiker" between German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund might be on the horizon. Should that encounter not happen, then it would be league leaders Arsenal who face a challenge against the perpetually threatening Dortmund.

With Atlético Madrid's progression, a tantalizing showdown against Liverpool could materialize. Six years after Diego Simeone's squad eliminated the then-defending champion Reds in an unforgettable round of 16 encounter, both teams could meet with the return leg at Anfield once more.

The benefits for both Chelsea and Barcelona finishing in the top eight could result in either team facing defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16. PSG previously overcame Barcelona earlier this campaign and Luis Enrique's team eliminated the Catalans in the quarterfinals two years prior.

A Chelsea versus PSG matchup would recreate the 2025 Club World Cup final, where the Blues prevented the Parisians from claiming every possible trophy that year. Whatever team draws PSG, either Chelsea or Barcelona will have to contend with Newcastle United, who recently netted nine goals over both legs of their playoff round triumph.

Lastly, Manchester City and Real Madrid could revive the greatest contemporary European rivalry in what could be the most appealing potential round of 16 clash. These two powerhouses have met in knockout competition in each of the past four campaigns, and the victor of their tie has proceeded to claim the title on three of those instances.

When Is the Champions League Round of 16 Draw?

When Is the Champions League Round of 16 Draw?

The Champions League round of 16 draw is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, fewer than 48 hours following the completion of the knockout playoffs. The ceremony is set to begin at 11 a.m. GMT (6 a.m. ET, 3 a.m. PT).

The pre-qualified teams that concluded in the league phase's top eight were organized into pairs according to their final standings. Clubs from each pairing will be separated and positioned on different bracket sides—silver side or blue side—during Friday's ceremony.

The knockout round playoff victors already understand which bracket side they occupy. On Friday, they'll discover which of their two possible pre-seeded adversaries will be assigned to their bracket side, thereby determining the round of 16 fixtures—and the complete knockout round structure for the remaining Champions League tournament.

The round of 16 draw will be streamed live on UEFA's official platform.