Chelsea vs PSG. Manchester City vs Real Madrid. The Champions League draw didn’t waste time.
Those two ties headline the round of 16, and they land on the same side of the bracket. Yet even with six Premier League clubs in the last 16, there are no all-English ties.
Below is a clean breakdown of every pairing, the match windows for the first and second legs (March 10 to 11 and March 17 to 18), and the route to the final in Budapest on May 30.
Quick answers: the biggest ties, match dates, and where the final is
- Biggest ties: Chelsea vs PSG, Real Madrid vs Manchester City
- Match dates: First legs March 10 to 11, second legs March 17 to 18 (UEFA will confirm the exact day-by-day schedule)
- Final: Puskás Aréna, Budapest, Saturday, May 30, 2026
Full Champions League round of 16 draw: every matchup in one list
These are two-leg ties. The team listed first hosts the first leg.
| Tie | First leg host | Second leg host |
|---|---|---|
| PSG vs Chelsea | PSG | Chelsea |
| Real Madrid vs Manchester City | Real Madrid | Manchester City |
| Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal | Leverkusen | Arsenal |
| Newcastle United vs Barcelona | Newcastle | Barcelona |
| Galatasaray vs Liverpool | Galatasaray | Liverpool |
| Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur | Atlético | Tottenham |
| Atalanta vs Bayern Munich | Atalanta | Bayern |
| Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting CP | Bodø/Glimt | Sporting |
For the official competition bracket view, UEFA maintains a live page with the full tree from this round to the final: UEFA’s Champions League bracket view. Chiang Rai Times also has a simple explainer on how the knockouts map into bracket “paths” in this format: Champions League knockout play-off draw time and format.
Home and away advantage: who hosts first, and who has the second leg at home?
First legs are scheduled for March 10 to 11, with second legs on March 17 to 18.
One key detail from the draw coverage is that Newcastle hosts Barcelona in the first leg. That means Barcelona takes the return at home.
BBC Sport also noted that clubs that qualified automatically (from the top group in the league phase) are generally rewarded with a second-leg home tie. The draw list above shows where the second leg sits for each tie, based on the published fixture order.
Key storylines from the draw
The Champions League round of 16 always feels like a doorway. Step through it cleanly and a season changes. Trip once and the noise gets loud fast.
BBC Sport framed the main talking points around two heavyweight matchups, then a cluster of ties that could swing on one moment in either leg.
Chelsea vs PSG: Club World Cup rematch, and two coaches who know each other
PSG enter as holders, but Chelsea arrive with a recent reminder that trophies don’t protect anyone. BBC Sport reported that Chelsea beat PSG 3-0 in last year’s FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey, which adds an edge to this pairing.
The early reaction from both sides stayed calm. BBC Sport quoted Chelsea director of football David Barnard, who described it as a tough draw, while stressing there’s “no fear” and that the focus stays game by game.
Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior said he was excited for the challenge and praised PSG coach Luis Enrique. On the other side, Luis Enrique called it a fascinating tie and said it wasn’t about revenge.
Chelsea’s domestic form has been uneven at times, which makes two legs feel like a different sport. Recent league frustrations have also followed them, including Chelsea’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Burnley at home, a reminder that control doesn’t always bring a clean win.
Real Madrid vs Man City: the knockout rivalry that keeps coming back
This is the fifth straight season the clubs have met in the Champions League knockout stage, according to BBC Sport’s draw report. It’s the type of matchup that starts to feel familiar, like a rerun that still pulls big numbers.
BBC Sport also noted City’s league-phase win in Madrid in December, and said it was their ninth meeting since April 2022. City football director Hugo Viana summed up the mood by saying it can feel like a final when these two meet, even in March.
City has shown they can flip games late in big moments, and the domestic season has offered examples. Their recent late 2-1 comeback win at Anfield underlined how quickly momentum can swing when pressure rises.
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen: perfect league phase, but a serious test next
Arsenal’s league-phase record stands out. BBC Sport reported they finished top and won all eight games, which earned them a return leg at home.
Leverkusen still brings a level of control and pace that travels well. BBC Sport quoted Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes, who said Arsenal could be the top favorite, which is both praise and a warning.
If Arsenal progress, BBC Sport reported their possible quarter-final opponents would come from Sporting CP or Bodø/Glimt. That is the reward side of the bracket, but first they have to get through a tie that won’t feel simple.
For a quick reference list of the matchups in one place, Sports Illustrated also published a full rundown: full list of round of 16 matches.
Newcastle vs Barcelona, Liverpool vs Galatasaray, Spurs vs Atlético: quick notes on the other big draws
Newcastle vs Barcelona starts in England, with Newcastle hosting the first leg. BBC Sport quoted Barcelona coach Hansi Flick as saying his team respects Newcastle and expects intensity.
Liverpool travels to Galatasaray first, then returns to Anfield. BBC Sport included Ian Rush, highlighting what a European night at Anfield can do, especially with a second leg on the line. Liverpool has made a habit of late drama this season, too, as shown in Liverpool’s 97th-minute winner at Nottingham Forest.
Tottenham face Atlético Madrid, with Spurs at home in the second leg. BBC Sport quoted former Spurs captain Gary Mabbutt saying anything can happen over two games. The BBC also reminded readers that Tottenham qualified for this competition by winning last season’s Europa League.
Route to the final: what the bracket says the quarter-finals could look like
The bracket is set all the way to the final, so clubs can see the traffic ahead.
Based on the draw coverage, these are the possible quarter-final pairings:
- PSG/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
- Real Madrid/Manchester City vs Atalanta/Bayern Munich
- Newcastle/Barcelona vs Atlético/Tottenham
- Bodø/Glimt/Sporting CP vs Leverkusen/Arsenal
BBC Sport also noted two all-English quarter-final possibilities if results fall that way: Newcastle and Tottenham could meet, and Chelsea and Liverpool could meet on the other half.
Atlético’s path is also one to watch, because their tie sits in a section that could throw up a big quarter-final. For recent form context, see Sørloth hat-trick powers Atletico past Brugge.
The destination stays the same for everyone. The Champions League final is scheduled for Puskás Aréna in Budapest on May 30, 2026. For a plain explainer on how the knockout bracket works round by round, ESPN keeps a running guide: Champions League knockout bracket explainer.
When are the Champions League last-16 matches played?
The first legs are on March 10 to 11, and the second legs are on March 17 to 18. UEFA typically confirms the exact kickoff times and the day split after the draw.
Who does Chelsea play in the Champions League last 16?
Chelsea plays PSG in the Champions League round of 16. PSG hosts the first leg, then Chelsea hosts the second leg.
Who does Man City play in the Champions League last 16?
Manchester City play Real Madrid. Real Madrid host the first leg, then City host the second leg.
Are there any all-English ties in the last 16?
No. Even though six Premier League clubs reached the last 16, the draw produced no all-English matchups. That outcome comes down to the draw and how the bracket slots teams.
Where is the Champions League final in 2026?
The final is at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
FAQs: quick rules fans ask about in knockout ties
What happens if the tie is level on aggregate?
If the score is level after two legs, the tie goes to extra time in the second leg. If it’s still level, it goes to a penalty shootout.
Is the away-goals rule still used?
In recent seasons, UEFA removed the away-goals rule. That means away goals don’t count extra if the aggregate score is tied.
Can clubs from the same country meet in the knockouts?
Yes, they can, depending on the season’s draw rules for each round. In the Champions League knockouts, same-country ties can happen once restrictions no longer apply.
Conclusion
Chelsea vs PSG and Real Madrid vs Manchester City lead the Champions League last 16 draw, and there’s no all-English tie despite a heavy Premier League presence. First legs run from March 10 to 11, with second legs on March 17 to 18. The bracket is set, and the finish line is Budapest on May 30. Bookmark this page and check back once UEFA confirms the exact kickoff times.
