The inaugural Champions League play-offs have wrapped up, setting the stage for an exciting last 16 round in Europe’s premier club competition. With 20 teams already eliminated since the league phase began in September, only the continent’s elite remain in the hunt for the coveted trophy.
Fans can expect thrilling encounters as the knockout stage kicks off, with the draw set to determine the matchups for the next phase. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Champions League last 16 draw.
When is the Champions League Last 16 Draw?
The draw for the last 16 will take place on Friday, 21 February at 11:00 GMT at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
Fans eager to watch the event live can tune in via UEFA’s official website, where the draw will be streamed in real time.
How Does the Champions League Last 16 Draw Work?
- The last 16 draw will feature eight play-off winners facing off against the eight top-seeded teams from the league phase.
- Teams are paired based on their rankings in the league phase (e.g., 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, etc.), and each team will have two potential opponents, predetermined in the knockout play-off draw.
- The draw will also determine the bracket each team falls into, which affects their potential path to the final.
- The top-eight seeded clubs will host the second leg of their respective ties.
- No teams from the same country can face each other at this stage.
Potential Champions League Last 16 Matchups
The top-eight seeded teams from the league phase already know their potential opponents, though their exact matchups will only be confirmed after Friday’s draw.
Champions League Last 16 Potential Ties
| Top-Eight Seeded Team | Potential Opponents |
|---|---|
| Liverpool | Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica |
| Barcelona | Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica |
| Arsenal | PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord |
| Inter Milan | PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord |
| Atletico Madrid | Real Madrid or Bayern Munich |
| Bayer Leverkusen | Real Madrid or Bayern Munich |
| Lille | Club Brugge or Borussia Dortmund |
| Aston Villa | Club Brugge or Borussia Dortmund |
When Will the Champions League Last 16 Matches Be Played?
The Champions League will resume next month, with the first legs of the last 16 ties scheduled for 4-5 March, followed by the second legs on 11-12 March.
Each team will play one match on a Tuesday and one on a Wednesday over the two weeks.
Champions League Knockout Stage Schedule
| Round | Dates |
|---|---|
| Last 16 | 4-5 & 11-12 March |
| Quarter-finals | 8-9 & 15-16 April |
| Semi-finals | 29-30 April & 6-7 May |
| Final | 31 May |
With the knockout stage set to begin soon, anticipation is high for another thrilling chapter in this season’s Champions League. Fans will be eagerly waiting to see which matchups the draw produces as the road to the final in Wembley Stadium on 31 May becomes clearer.
