The wait for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout stage is officially over. Today, Tuesday, the Round of 16 kicks off with a slate of high-octane fixtures across Europe. From a desperate Tottenham side seeking a "Madrid Miracle" to Liverpool’s hostile trip to Istanbul, the road to the final in Budapest begins tonight.
Here is your comprehensive review of today’s fixtures, kickoff times, and the critical head-to-head histories that will define these matchups.
Today’s Champions League Fixtures
| Match | Venue | Kickoff (CET) | Storyline |
| Galatasaray vs. Liverpool | RAMS Park | 18:45 | Slot returns to the scene of a September defeat. |
| Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham | Riyadh Air Metropolitano | 21:00 | Igor Tudor’s "Final Stand" begins in Spain. |
| Newcastle vs. Barcelona | St. James' Park | 21:00 | Magpies host their first March UCL game in 23 years. |
| Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich | New Balance Arena | 21:00 | The Italian underdogs host the 12-point group winners. |
Key Match Reviews & Head-to-Head Stats
Atlético Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur
This is arguably the most desperate tie of the round. Igor Tudor is winless in three as Spurs interim boss and is facing a "four-game deadline" to save his job.
Head-to-Head: Historically, these sides have rarely met in competitive European action. Their most famous encounter remains the 1963 Cup Winners' Cup Final, where Spurs famously thrashed Atleti 5–1. However, in 2026, the roles are reversed; Atleti are in peak form, recently knocking Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey.
The Factor: Antoine Griezmann remains the danger man, while Spurs hope their superior European form this season (only one loss in the league phase) can mask their domestic relegation battle.
Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
Arne Slot takes his side to the "Hell" of Istanbul for a rematch of their September encounter.
Head-to-Head: Galatasaray actually beat Liverpool 2–1 in the league phase back in September at this very stadium. The Turkish giants are playing Champions League football in March for the first time in 12 years and haven't lost at home in their last six European outings.
The Factor: Mohamed Salah (ranked 5th highest paid in the UCL) will need to be at his clinical best to silence the RAMS Park crowd.
Newcastle United vs. Barcelona
St. James' Park will be at its most electric tonight. After a 23-year absence from this stage, Newcastle faces the ultimate test against Hansi Flick's Barça.
Head-to-Head: Barcelona won the league-phase meeting in Tyneside earlier this season, leaving with all three points. Eddie Howe has stated that beating Barça tonight would make his players "instant legends."
The Factor: Anthony Gordon (10 goals in the UCL this season) is the competition's second-highest scorer, trailing only Kylian Mbappé.
Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich
A clash of styles as Gian Piero Gasperini’s tactical fluidity meets the brute force of Harry Kane’s Bayern.
Head-to-Head: Bayern Munich finished the league phase with a perfect 12 points from 12, outscoring opponents 14–3. Atalanta, meanwhile, clawed their way into the knockouts with gritty performances, including a notable draw against Juventus.
The Factor: Harry Kane has 8 goals in 8 UCL games this season and is chasing a record-breaking Golden Shoe/Ballon d'Or double.
Tomorrow’s Lookahead (Wednesday, March 11)
The drama continues tomorrow with the remaining four first-leg ties:
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal (18:45)
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City (21:00) — The "Mbappé vs. Haaland" Showdown.PSG vs. Chelsea (21:00)
FK Bodø/Glimt vs. Sporting CP (21:00)