By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League knockout stage has delivered a seismic Round of 16 draw, headlined by another blockbuster collision between Real Madrid C.F. and Manchester City F.C., as Europe’s elite battle for a place in the final at Budapest’s iconic Puskás Aréna on May 30, 2026.
The draw has split the competition into two brutal halves, with multiple heavyweight clashes set to define the road to glory.
Full Round of 16 Fixtures
-
Paris Saint-Germain F.C. vs Chelsea F.C.
-
Galatasaray S.K. vs Liverpool F.C.
-
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
-
Atalanta B.C. vs FC Bayern Munich
-
Newcastle United F.C. vs FC Barcelona
-
Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
-
Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting CP
-
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Arsenal F.C.
Real Madrid’s rivalry with Manchester City has defined recent Champions League campaigns. Once again, tactical genius meets continental royalty in what many already consider a premature final.
Elsewhere, PSG’s duel with Chelsea pits French flair against Premier League power, while Bayern Munich’s clash with Atalanta promises fireworks in Germany and Italy.
Barcelona face a dangerous Newcastle side, and Atlético Madrid’s meeting with Tottenham ensures another tactical chess match.
Arsenal must first overcome Leverkusen. Victory would set up a quarter-final against either Sporting CP or Bodø/Glimt. However, the semi-final bracket could bring Tottenham, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, or Newcastle — a path packed with peril.
Knockout Dates
-
Round of 16: March 10–11 & 17–18, 2026
-
Quarter-finals: April 7–15, 2026
-
Semi-finals: April 28–May 6, 2026
-
Final: May 30, 2026 — Budapest
Europe’s most prestigious club competition has officially entered its defining phase. One path. Eight ties. Sixteen giants. And only one will lift the trophy in Hungary.