Champions League draw creates fixture quirk never seen in history of competition

The UEFA Champions League draw has ensured that history will be made in the round of 16, as all six Premier League participants – Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea and Spurs – learned their future opponents.

The draw took place in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday (February 27), with Arsenal arguably handed the most favourable draw.

Due to finishing top of the 36-team league phase, both Arsenal and Bayern Munich will have home advantage in the second leg of their knockout ties up until the final, which will take place in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30.

Arsenal will face Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 before playing either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the last eight. The Gunners’ potential semi-final opponents include Newcastle, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and rivals Spurs.

Six-time champions Liverpool will face Galatasaray in the last 16 before potentially competing against PSG or Chelsea in the quarter-finals. Liverpool’s potential semi-final opponents will be one of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Atalanta and Bayern Munich.

Newcastle will play Barcelona in the round of 16 before a potential showdown against Atletico or Spurs in the quarter-finals. The Magpies’ potential semi-final opponents include Bodo/Glimt, Sporting CP, Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal.

Chelsea will face reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 before a potential last-eight clash with Galatasaray or Liverpool. Potential semi-final opponents include Real Madrid, Man City, Atalanta and Bayern Munich.

Spurs were drawn against Atletico in the last 16 and could play Newcastle or Barcelona in the last eight before a potential semi-final against either Arsenal, Leverkusen, Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP.

Man City will face Real Madrid in the round of 16 before a showdown against Atalanta or Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. Pep Guardiola’s side will face one of PSG, Chelsea, Galatasaray or Liverpool in the semi-finals.

The draw means City and Real Madrid will become the first knockout fixture contested in five consecutive knockout stages.

Across the Champions League – including group stage/league phase matches – the sides will have played each other 11 times in the last five seasons following the last 16 of the 2025/26 competition.

City have only faced five teams – Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs – more than they have played Real over the same period despite competing in different domestic leagues.

"It's funny that every season we play [City], it's five seasons in a row, we know each other well, " Madrid's director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueño said following the draw.

"They have not just a great team but a great squad, and that gives Guardiola options. The first game will be at the Bernabeu ... These are games for attacking football, both teams go for it, there are lots of goals.

"It's one of the best games you can see anywhere in the world. We hope all our players are fit for the tie, we'll need them. We all know how much this competition means to us, and we believe in our players."

2025/26 Champions League last 16 draw in full

Manchester City v Real Madrid

Bodo/Glimt v Sporting

Paris St-Germain v Chelsea

Newcastle v Barcelona

Galatasaray v Liverpool

Atletico Madrid v Tottenham

Atalanta v Bayern Munich

Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal

2025/26 Champions League knockout schedule

Round of 16

First legs: March 10 and 11

Second legs: March 17 and 18

Quarterfinals

First legs: April 7 and 8

Second legs: April 14 and 15

Semifinals

First legs: April 28 and 29

Second legs: May 5 and 6

Final

May 30 in Budapest