UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw explained: How does it work? Can Premier League teams meet? What is the seeding? When is the draw?
Published 27/02/2026 at 10:59 GMT
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The UEFA Champions League is heating up as the round of 16 approaches. All 16 teams are confirmed for the draw, including six from the Premier League, after Newcastle United advanced through the play-off round. We run through all you need to know about Friday's last-16 draw, including how it works, who will be seeded, and whether Premier League teams can face each other.
Watch: Why have Arsenal been so good in the Champions League this season?
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The draw for the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League will be made on Friday, with six Premier League teams in the hat.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur were already confirmed in the draw after finishing in the top eight in the league phase, and Newcastle United joined them after thrashing Qarabag 9-3 in the play-off round.
Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland will not just reveal the last 16 fixtures, but also the paths for every side to the final in Budapest.
How does it work, when could Premier League sides face each other, what is the seeding all about, and how can you watch and follow the draw? We explain all…
When is the UEFA Champions League last 16 draw?
The draw for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, and beyond, takes place on Friday, February 27 at 11:00 UK time.
It will be followed by the UEFA Europa League draw at midday, and the UEFA Conference League draw at 13:00.
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Highlights: Bodo/Glimt make history with stunning victory over Inter
Video credit: TNT Sports
Which teams are in the UEFA Champions League last 16 draw?Â
The 16 teams have been confirmed following the conclusion of the play-off round.
The sides who finished in the top eight of the league phase and advanced straight to the last 16 are: Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Sporting, and Spurs.
Newcastle, Bodo/Glimt, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen advanced from Tuesday's play-off ties, before Real Madrid, Galatasaray, Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain joined them following Wednesday's fixtures.
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Highlights: Newcastle storm into last 16 with Qarabag triumph
Video credit: TNT Sports
How does the UEFA Champions League last 16 draw work?
The last 16 of the UEFA Champions League sees the eight play-off winners facing the sides who finished in the top eight in the league phase.
The top-eight finishers have been paired into seeded couplets and each know the two teams they could face in the last-16 draw.
- Barcelona and Chelsea will be drawn against either PSG or Newcastle
- Liverpool and Spurs will be drawn against either Galatasaray or Atletico Madrid
- Sporting and Man City will be drawn against either Real Madrid or Bodo/Glimt
- Arsenal and Bayern Munich will be drawn against either Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen
Friday’s draw will reveal the last-16 ties and also allocate a side of the bracket for every team so they know who they could potentially meet in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
There is also seeding in the draw. The teams that finished in the top eight of the league phase will be seeded and will play the second legs of the last-16 ties at home.
In the quarter-finals, the teams that finished first to fourth will be seeded and get a home tie in the second leg, and in the semis, the top two teams in the league phase will be seeded.
If a seeded team is eliminated, then the team that beats them takes their seeding position.
The top two seeds, Arsenal and Bayern Munich, can only meet in the final as they will be on opposite sides of the draw.
Can Premier League teams face each other in the draw?
There are no restrictions on teams being drawn against each other from the last 16 onwards.
That means Premier League teams can meet from now on, although the only potential all-Premier League last 16 tie is Newcastle v Chelsea.
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Highlights: Real edge past Benfica to book last-16 place
Video credit: TNT Sports
How to watch the UEFA Champions League last 16 draw
TNT Sports and discovery+ is your home to watch the UEFA Champions League draw.
The draw will also be streamed live on TNT Sports' YouTube channel and you can follow on www.tntsports.co.uk.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
What is the UEFA Champions League schedule?
The UEFA Champions League round of 16 ties will be played across two legs on March 10/11 and 17/18. The final is in Budapest on May 30.
Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18
Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15
Semi-finals: April 28/29 & May 5/6
Final: May 30 (Budapest)
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Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
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