The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw has delivered blockbuster ties across both halves of the bracket, with holders Paris Saint-Germain facing Chelsea and Real Madrid once again locking horns with Manchester City in a modern European classic.
For Nigerian fans, there is added intrigue. Victor Osimhen will take on Liverpool once more after already hurting them in the league phase, while Ademola Lookman’s Atlético Madrid are set for a heavyweight clash with Tottenham.
With the full knockout bracket now confirmed, every club also knows its potential route to the final at the Puskás Aréna on May 30.
Here is the full breakdown of the Round of 16 – and what it means for the road to Budapest.
The Round of 16 first legs will be played on March 10 and 11, with the return legs on March 17 and 18.
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PSG vs Chelsea
Reigning champions PSG face Chelsea in a blockbuster tie that doubles as a rematch of last summer’s Club World Cup final, which the Blues won. The two sides have not met in the Champions League since the 2015/16 Round of 16, but this time the stakes feel even higher.
The winner will face either Galatasaray or Liverpool in the quarter-finals, meaning one giant is guaranteed to reach the last eight.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
This rivalry simply refuses to fade. For the fifth straight season, Real Madrid and Manchester City meet in the knockout rounds. Last season, Madrid won 6-3 on aggregate in the play-off phase. Before that came semi-final drama in 2021/22 and 2022/23, and a quarter-final showdown in 2023/24.
The two sides also have already met this season in the group phase, a 1-2 win to Man City at the Bernabeu. The winner faces either Atalanta or Bayern Munich in what could be another elite-level quarter-final.
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Liverpool return to Istanbul, where they were beaten 1-0 in the league phase thanks to a decisive goal from Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian striker will once again be central to Galatasaray’s hopes as they attempt to eliminate one of Europe’s most decorated clubs.
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Atalanta’s dramatic comeback win over Borussia Dortmund earned them this tie, but they now face a Bayern Munich side considered among the tournament favourites.
With the winner placed in the same half as Real Madrid and Manchester City, this side of the bracket is stacked with pedigree.
Sporting CP vs Bodo/Glimt
These two clubs have never met in European competition. Regardless of the outcome, a team from outside Europe’s traditional top five leagues will reach the quarter-finals.
Bodø/Glimt already stunned Manchester City and Inter Milan this season and will not fear Sporting, while the Portuguese side will see a clear path opening up in this half of the draw.
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Newcastle and Barcelona met in September during the league phase, when a Marcus Rashford brace helped Barca secure a 2-1 win at St James’ Park.
Now the Magpies have a chance at revenge. With the winner set to face either Atlético Madrid or Tottenham, this section of the bracket could produce a surprise semi-finalist.
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Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham
Remarkably, these sides have not met in European competition since the 1963 Cup Winners’ Cup final. This tie carries edge, physicality and knockout experience.
For Nigerian fans, there is added focus on Ademola Lookman. The forward has already become one of Atlético’s most decisive players since signing in January, and will be expected to step up again on this stage.
The winner faces either Newcastle or Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
Arsenal finished top of the league phase with a perfect record and now meet Bayer Leverkusen in what looks, on paper, like one of the more balanced ties of the round.
The Gunners sit in the same half as Sporting and Bodø/Glimt, meaning the pathway to the semi-finals may appear more open compared to the heavyweight-loaded opposite bracket. But Leverkusen’s tactical discipline and European experience make this far from straightforward.
Champions League Round of 16 Fixtures in Full
- Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Sporting CP
- PSG vs. Chelsea
- Newcastle vs. Barcelona
- Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
- Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich
- Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal
The Brackets
The top half of the bracket has quickly been labelled the “death half” after six former Champions League winners were drawn together. Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are all on the same side, meaning only one of those European heavyweights can make it to Budapest.
Between them, Real Madrid’s 15 titles, Liverpool and Bayern’s six each, Chelsea’s two, and one apiece for PSG and City add up to 31 European crowns concentrated in one half of the draw.
By contrast, the bottom half features just one past winner in Barcelona, while Atlético Madrid, Tottenham, Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen are all still chasing a first title despite previously finishing as runners-up.
The road to Budapest
The quarter-final matchups are already set:
- PSG or Chelsea vs Galatasaray or Liverpool
- Real Madrid or Manchester City vs Atalanta or Bayern Munich
- Newcastle or Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid or Tottenham
- Sporting or Bodø/Glimt vs Bayer Leverkusen or Arsenal
The semi-finals promise even more drama, with the winner of the PSG-Chelsea-Liverpool-Galatasaray side set to meet whoever survives the Real Madrid-Man City-Bayern-Atalanta gauntlet.
On the other half, one of Newcastle, Barcelona, Atlético or Tottenham will face either Sporting, Bodo/Glimt, Leverkusen or Arsenal for a place in the final.
For Nigerian fans, all eyes will be on Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman as they aim to carry Naija representation deep into Europe’s biggest competition.
