The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League is entering its decisive phase, with the Round of 16 fast approaching. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the draw procedures, qualified teams, eliminated sides, format structure, and key dates for the remainder of the campaign.
Champions League Draws Explained
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UEFA Champions League 2025/26: A Season of Emerging Powerhouses and Tactical Evolution
The league phase draw was held on August 28 in Monaco, featuring 36 qualified clubs. Teams were allocated into four pots of nine based on their UEFA club coefficient rankings. The reigning champions, Paris Saint-Germain, were automatically seeded in Pot 1.
Each club was manually drawn, while automated software assigned eight different opponents — two from each pot — determining home and away fixtures. Teams could not face opponents from their own national association and were limited to a maximum of two opponents from the same country.
The knockout play-off draw took place on January 30, involving clubs that finished between ninth and 24th in the league standings.
The final draw — covering the Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals — is scheduled for Friday, February 27, and will be streamed live on UEFA’s official platforms.
Teams Qualified for the Round of 16
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Getty Images Image caption, Bayern Munich remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga after 11 matches
Top Eight (Automatic Qualification)
- Arsenal
- Bayern Munich
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Barcelona
- Chelsea
- Sporting CP
- Manchester City
These clubs progressed directly to the Round of 16 after finishing inside the top eight.
Knockout Play-Off Winners
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Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid celebrates a goal during the UEFA champions league 2025 26 Knockout Play-off second Leg match between Real Madrid and Benfica at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. (Photo by Guille Martinez f22photo)
- Real Madrid
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Newcastle United
- Atletico Madrid
- Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Galatasaray
- Bodo/Glimt
Knockout Play-Off Results
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Desire Doué (PSG)
- Real Madrid 3–1 Benfica
- Inter Milan 2–5 Bodo/Glimt
- PSG 5–4 Monaco
- Newcastle 9–3 Qarabag
- Juventus 5–7 Galatasaray
- Atletico Madrid 7–4 Club Brugge
- Atalanta 4–3 Borussia Dortmund
- Bayer Leverkusen 2–0 Olympiacos
Possible Round of 16 Pairings
- Arsenal or Bayern Munich vs Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen
- Liverpool or Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray
- Barcelona or Chelsea vs PSG or Newcastle
- Sporting CP or Manchester City vs Bodo/Glimt or Real Madrid
When & Where is the Final?
The final will be staged on May 30, 2026, at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. The 67,215-capacity stadium will host a Champions League final for the first time, marking a historic occasion for Hungary.
Competition Format Overview
The tournament continues under UEFA’s revamped structure introduced last season. The traditional 32-team group stage has been replaced by a 36-team league phase.
Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents. The top eight advance automatically to the Round of 16. Teams placed ninth to 24th enter a two-legged knockout play-off to determine the remaining eight Round of 16 qualifiers. The bottom eight are eliminated outright and do not drop into the Europa League.
From the Round of 16 onwards, the tournament follows a standard knockout bracket format culminating in the final.
The road to Budapest is now firmly mapped — and Europe’s elite are preparing for the defining stretch of the 2025/26 campaign.
