The dust has finally settled on the most chaotic Champions League knockout play-off stage in recent memory. After a dramatic week of second-leg fixtures that saw giants fall and underdogs rise, the 16 teams that will compete in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 are officially confirmed.
From Arsenal's historic perfect run to Bodø/Glimt's "giant-killing" spree, the road to the final in Budapest is now clearly mapped out.
The Automatic Eight (The Seeded Giants)
These teams secured their spots early by finishing in the top eight of the newly formatted league phase. By skipping the play-off round, they avoided the February fatigue and will enter the Round of 16 as the seeded sides.
Arsenal: The first team to ever record a perfect 8-0-0 league phase campaign.
Bayern Munich: Harry Kane’s clinical form led them to a dominant second-place finish.
Liverpool: Proved their European pedigree despite a transition year at Anfield.
Tottenham: The surprise package, finishing 4th in Europe while battling a mid-table domestic crisis.
Barcelona: A resurgent youth movement has the Catalans looking like contenders again.
Chelsea: Secured their spot on the final day, maintaining a strong continental presence.
Sporting CP: The dark horses of the league phase, jumping 16 places compared to last season.
Manchester City: Snuck into the final automatic spot following a shock Real Madrid slip-up in January.
The Play-off Survivors (The Unseeded Challengers)
The last 48 hours delivered pure drama as 16 teams battled for the remaining eight tickets. Here are the winners who fought their way through the play-off gauntlet:
| Team | Aggregate Result | Defeated Opponent |
| Real Madrid | 3–1 | Benfica |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 5–4 | AS Monaco |
| Newcastle United | 9–3 | Qarabağ |
| Atlético Madrid | 7–4 | Club Brugge |
| Atalanta | 4–3 | Borussia Dortmund |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2–0 | Olympiacos |
| Galatasaray | 7–5 (AET) | Juventus |
| Bodø/Glimt | 5–2 | Inter Milan |
The Story of the Play-offs:
The biggest shock of the round came from Norway, where Bodø/Glimt dismantled 2025 finalists Inter Milan. Meanwhile, Galatasaray produced an all-time classic against Juventus, winning 7–5 on aggregate after a grueling period of extra time in Turin.
When is the Round of 16 Draw?
The official draw ceremony will take place today, Friday, February 27, 2026, at 12:00 CET in Nyon, Switzerland.
The Draw Rules:
The "Automatic Eight" are seeded and will be drawn against the "Play-off Survivors."
Seedings matter: The seeded teams (Arsenal, Bayern, etc.) will host the second leg at home.
The bracket is now "fixed," meaning teams will know their potential path all the way to the final at the Puskás Aréna.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
Round of 16 First Legs: March 10/11, 2026
Round of 16 Second Legs: March 17/18, 2026
Quarter-finals: April 2026
The Final: May 30, 2026 (Budapest)