UEFA Champions League 2025–26: Knockout Drama Begins — Last 16, Fixtures, and Final Preview
The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League has been one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory, featuring a new league-style group phase with 36 teams from across Europe battling it out for places in the knockout rounds. After a thrilling group stage, which ran from 16 September 2025 to 28 January 2026, the focus now shifts to the decisive Round of 16, with Europe’s elite clubs aiming to book their spot in Budapest for the final on 30 May 2026 at Puskás Aréna.
Round of 16: Dates and Format
After the qualifying rounds and a knockout playoff phase in February 2026, the Round of 16 begins with two-legged ties on the following dates:
10–11 March 2026 — First leg
17–18 March 2026 — Second leg
Each matchup is played home and away, with the aggregate winners advancing to the quarter-finals in April.
Confirmed Last-16 Matchups
Following the playoff draw that took place in January 2026, the following high-profile fixtures have been set:
Tuesday, 17 February (Playoff First Legs)
Galatasaray vs Juventus
Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
Benfica vs Real Madrid
Wednesday, 18 February
Qarabağ vs Newcastle United
Club Brugge vs Atlético Madrid
Bodø/Glimt vs Inter Milan
Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
The winners of these playoff ties, along with the top qualifiers, will form the final Round of 16 lineup when March arrives. The combination of established European giants such as Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund alongside rising challengers like Qarabağ and Bodø/Glimt promises an exciting knockout stage.
Who to Watch
This season’s competition has delivered standout performances across Europe. Paris Saint-Germain enter the knockout rounds looking to defend their Champions League crown, while traditional powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool continue their pursuit of continental success. Emerging sides including Monaco and Borussia Dortmund have also demonstrated that they are capable of going deep into the tournament.
Manchester City secured their place in the Round of 16 with a crucial league-phase victory, underlining the intensity and unpredictability of the 2025–26 campaign.
Looking Ahead: Quarter-Finals to the Final
As the competition progresses, the route to the final is clearly defined:
Quarter-finals: 7–15 April 2026
Semi-finals: 28 April – 6 May 2026
Final: 30 May 2026 at Puskás Aréna, Budapest, Hungary
The final in Budapest is set to be a landmark event, bringing together Europe’s best clubs in one of the continent’s most iconic stadiums.
Don’t Miss a Moment — Get Your Tickets on biletwise
From the drama of the Round of 16 to the spectacle of the Champions League Final, demand for tickets will be extremely high. Fans looking to experience the action live can secure their seats through biletwise for:
Round of 16 home and away matches
Quarter-final and semi-final fixtures
The UEFA Champions League Final in Budapest
With verified sellers, competitive prices, and access to Europe’s biggest matches, biletwise offers a reliable way to follow the Champions League journey in person.
The 2025–26 Champions League knockout stage is set to deliver unforgettable moments, high-stakes drama, and historic achievements. Whether supporting a proven giant or an ambitious underdog, March marks the start of the final push toward Europe’s most prestigious club trophy.
Stay tuned, follow the fixtures, and secure your tickets on biletwise as the road to Budapest unfolds.
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