Champions League last-16 draw date, time, rules, seeds and format explained

Need to know

The Champions League draw is set to take place after the play-off ties have ended

The Champions League draw is set to take place this week (Image: Kristian Skeie UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Everything you need to know about the Champions League last 16 draw

Date and Time: The draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals takes place this Friday, February 27, 2026. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11am GMT in Nyon, Switzerland.
The Automatic Qualifiers: Eight teams have already secured their place in the round of 16 by finishing in the top eight of the league phase. These teams are Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and Manchester City.
The Play-off Winners: The remaining eight spots will be filled by the winners of the knockout play-offs, which will conclude on Tuesday and Wednesday. Notable teams currently battling through the second legs include Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus, Inter Milan and Newcastle United.
Seeding and Pairings: For the round of 16, the top eight league phase finishers are seeded. They are paired and drawn into specific bracket positions to face a winner from the knockout play-offs, ensuring the highest-ranked teams are spread out.
Bracket Rules: Under the new format, the draw also determines the entire path to the final. Once a team is placed in the bracket on Friday, they will know their potential opponents for the quarter-finals and semi-finals without the need for further draws.
Country and League Protection: In a significant change for the knockout rounds, there is no ‘same-country’ protection. Clubs from the same national association (e.g. Premier League clubs) or teams that previously met in the league phase can be drawn against each other.
UK TV Channel Information: The draw will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1. The programme is scheduled to last for 30 minutes.
Live Stream Details: Subscribers can watch the draw via the discovery+ app or website. For those without a subscription, the draw is usually streamed for free on UEFA.com, the official UEFA YouTube channel and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
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