UEFA Champions League Draw Tomorrow: Fiery Clashes Loom

T.E (Elbotola)

26 February 2026at23:50

All eyes will turn to the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, tomorrow, Friday, at 11:00 (GMT), for the draw ceremony of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 and the remaining knockout stages for the 2025/2026 season. Draws for the Europa League and Europa Conference League will also take place.

For the first time under the new system, the draw will not only determine the Round of 16 matchups but will also map out the complete path for clubs all the way to the grand final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.

The 16 qualified teams have been divided into two categories:

Seeded Teams (ranked 1-8 in the league phase): Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon, and Manchester City.

Qualified from Play-offs: Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Galatasaray, and Bodø/Glimt.

Key draw rules include no geographical restrictions, meaning two teams from the same country can face each other (e.g., Manchester City vs. Newcastle). Additionally, seeded clubs (ranked 1-8) will play their second-leg matches at home.

The first-leg matches of the Champions League Round of 16 will be held on March 10 and 11, with the second-leg matches scheduled for March 17 and 18.

The following are the possible Round of 16 matchups:

Real Madrid - Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City

Paris Saint-Germain - Barcelona or Chelsea

Galatasaray - Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur

Atalanta - Arsenal or Bayern Munich

Newcastle United - Barcelona or Chelsea

Atlético Madrid - Liverpool or Tottenham

Bodø/Glimt - Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City

Bayer Leverkusen - Arsenal or Bayern Munich

Q&A

What is the UEFA Champions League draw determining tomorrow?

The UEFA Champions League draw tomorrow will determine the Round of 16 matchups and the complete knockout path for all 16 qualified teams. This new system maps out their journey to the final in Budapest.

How does the new Champions League draw system impact clubs?

The new Champions League draw system impacts clubs by mapping their entire potential path to the final from the Round of 16. This means teams will know their full bracket, including potential quarter-final and semi-final opponents, which is a significant change.

When will the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 matches be played?

The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 matches will be played across two weeks in March. The first-leg games are scheduled for March 10 and 11, with the decisive second-leg fixtures taking place the following week.

UEFA Champions League