Champions League Round of 16: Key Matchups and Fixtures Revealed

The Champions League Round of 16 is set to feature thrilling matchups, including a high-stakes clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid. Arsenal faces Bayer Leverkusen, while PSG takes on Chelsea in a rematch of last year's final. Other notable fixtures include Liverpool vs. Galatasaray and Newcastle United vs. Barcelona. As the knockout stages approach, fans can expect intense competition and potential surprises. The matches will kick off on March 10, with the final scheduled for May 30 in Budapest.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 27, 2026, 22:09 IST

Exciting Champions League Showdowns Ahead

Manchester City and Real Madrid are set to reignite their rivalry in the Champions League Round of 16, marking their sixth encounter since the 2019-20 season. This matchup is notable for being one of the most frequent in modern European football. The two clubs previously met in December, where City came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory in the group stage. Fans can expect another tactical battle between these European giants.

In another intriguing clash, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea, a rematch of last year's contentious Club World Cup final, which PSG won. Chelsea will be eager to seek redemption on the European stage. Additionally, Bayern Munich, currently in second place, will take on Serie A's Atalanta in what promises to be an exciting offensive encounter.

Arsenal's Path in the Tournament

Arsenal, having topped the league phase, will go up against German champions Bayer Leverkusen. Should they progress, they will meet either Sporting or Bodo/Glimt in the quarter-finals. On paper, Arsenal's journey appears less challenging compared to some of the heavyweight clashes in the draw. However, surprises are common in the Champions League, and every opponent deserves respect.

Other Premier League teams faced tougher draws. Liverpool will clash with Turkish champions Galatasaray in a match expected to be highly competitive, while Newcastle United faces a daunting task against Barcelona. Tottenham Hotspur, struggling domestically, will take on Atletico Madrid in a match that will test their European credentials.

Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt, who made headlines with their victories over City, Atletico, and Inter Milan in the group stage, will challenge Portuguese side Sporting. The knockout stages are set to commence on March 10.

Round of 16 Matchups

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-Final Fixtures

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-Final Fixtures

Semi-final 1: QF1 winners vs. QF2 winners
Semi-final 2: QF3 winners vs. QF4 winners

Match Dates

Last 16: March 10-11 and March 17-18
Quarter-finals: April 7-8 and April 14-15
Semi-finals: April 28-29 and May 5-6
Final: May 30 in Budapest