Champions League R16: Full Fixtures & March Dates

Champions League R16: Full Fixtures & March Dates Revealed for a Thrilling Knockout Stage

The highly anticipated 2025-26 UEFA Champions League round-of-16 draw has set the stage for an electrifying knockout phase, promising fans a spectacle of world-class football. From colossal clashes between European giants to intriguing battles featuring rising stars and unexpected contenders, the path to the final in Budapest is now clearer than ever. Football enthusiasts worldwide are already marking their calendars for March, when these crucial **rd round fixtures** will ignite the continental competition. This comprehensive guide delves into every matchup, highlights key dates, and provides insights into what promises to be an unforgettable stage of the Champions League.

The Blockbuster Line-Up: Unpacking the Champions League Round of 16 Fixtures

The draw, held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, delivered a series of tantalizing encounters, none more so than the repeat of a modern classic: Real Madrid vs Manchester City. For the fifth consecutive season, these two titans of European football will lock horns in the Champions League knockout stages, a rivalry that has quickly become one of the most compelling in the sport. Their past encounters have been defined by dramatic goals, tactical masterclasses, and nail-biting finishes, making this perhaps the most anticipated of all **rd round fixtures**. Another standout tie sees current holders Paris Saint-Germain facing formidable Premier League opposition in Chelsea. This matchup pits two squads brimming with individual talent against each other, with significant implications for both clubs' European ambitions. Chelsea will be eager to test their mettle against the reigning champions, while PSG will aim to defend their title against a strong English challenge. Beyond these headliners, the draw also produced several other captivating matchups that promise intense drama:

• Galatasaray vs Liverpool: A clash of passionate fan bases and storied European clubs. Expect an electric atmosphere in Istanbul for the first leg.
• Atalanta vs Bayern Munich: The free-flowing Italian side against the perennial German powerhouse. Atalanta's attacking prowess will be severely tested by Bayern's clinical efficiency.
• Newcastle vs Barcelona: A fascinating encounter between an ambitious, well-funded English club on the rise and a Spanish giant looking to reaffirm its dominance.
• Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham: A tactical chess match is expected when Diego Simeone's defensively astute Atlético meets a dynamic Tottenham side.
• Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal: Two teams known for their exciting, attacking football. This tie could be a high-scoring affair with plenty of youthful energy on display.

Perhaps the most heartwarming story comes from Norway, where giant-killers Bodø/Glimt continue their fairytale run. After sensationally ousting 2025 runners-up Inter Milan in the knockout-phase playoffs, they have been paired with Portuguese club Sporting CP. Bodø/Glimt's journey is a testament to perseverance and tactical brilliance, and they will be looking to extend their remarkable European adventure even further. Their inclusion among these elite **rd round fixtures** is a testament to their incredible progress.

Full Champions League Round of 16 Draw:

Here are all the matchups for the 2025-26 Champions League Round of 16:

• Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
• Galatasaray vs Liverpool
• Real Madrid vs Manchester City
• Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
• Newcastle vs Barcelona
• Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham
• Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting CP
• Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal

Important Note: In each Champions League round-of-16 tie, the team listed second will enjoy the home advantage in the crucial second leg, which can often be a deciding factor.

Champions League Round of 16 Dates: Mark Your Calendars for March Madness

The stakes couldn't be higher, and the timing of these **rd round fixtures** adds to the drama. All the first and second leg matches are scheduled to take place within a compact two-week period in March 2026, setting up a thrilling start to the spring football calendar. Fans will need to be ready for back-to-back nights of elite European action!

First Legs:

The opening battles for a place in the quarter-finals will kick off on Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11. Here's the detailed schedule (all times ET):

Tuesday, March 10

• 12:45 p.m. ET: Galatasaray vs Liverpool
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Atalanta vs Bayern München
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Newcastle vs Barcelona

Wednesday, March 11

• 12:45 p.m. ET: Leverkusen vs Arsenal
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting CP
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Real Madrid vs Manchester City

Second Legs:

The decisive return fixtures will follow swiftly, taking place on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18. These matches will determine which eight teams advance to the quarter-finals.

Tuesday, March 17

• 12:45 p.m. ET: Sporting CP vs Bodø/Glimt
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Arsenal vs Leverkusen
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Chelsea vs Paris Saint-Germain
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Manchester City vs Real Madrid

Wednesday, March 18

• 12:45 p.m. ET: Barcelona vs Newcastle
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Bayern München vs Atalanta
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Liverpool vs Galatasaray
• 3:00 p.m. ET: Tottenham vs Atlético Madrid

To ensure you don't miss a single moment of these thrilling **rd round fixtures**, remember to check local broadcast listings or streaming service providers in your region closer to the dates. Many platforms offer live coverage, highlights, and expert analysis to enhance your viewing experience.

Navigating the Knockout Path: A Look at the 2025-26 Champions League Bracket

Beyond the individual matchups, the draw also revealed the potential paths teams could take all the way to the final in Budapest. UEFA has divided the knockout stage into two distinct sides: the 'silver' side and the 'blue' side, giving fans a glimpse of possible quarter-final and semi-final clashes. The 'silver' side of the draw is arguably the more heavily stacked, featuring a constellation of European football's biggest names. This includes Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich. This arrangement means that several top contenders are on a collision course, guaranteeing some monumental matchups even before the semi-finals. For instance, the winner of Real Madrid/Manchester City could face the winner of Atalanta/Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, setting up a truly epic confrontation. Similarly, PSG/Chelsea could potentially meet Galatasaray/Liverpool. Conversely, the 'blue' side of the bracket, while still featuring strong teams like Newcastle, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Tottenham, Bayer Leverkusen, and Arsenal, is perceived by many as offering a potentially less arduous route to the final. Teams here, such as the impressive Bodø/Glimt or Sporting CP, might see a clearer path, at least on paper, to reach the showpiece event in Hungary.

Potential Quarter-final Matchups:

'Silver' side:

• PSG/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
• Real Madrid/Manchester City vs Atalanta/Bayern Munich

'Blue' side:

• Newcastle/Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid/Tottenham
• Bodø/Glimt/Sporting vs Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal

Potential Semi-final Matchups:

• 'Silver' side: (PSG/Chelsea or Galatasaray/Liverpool) vs (Real Madrid/Manchester City or Atalanta/Bayern Munich)
• 'Blue' side: (Newcastle/Barcelona or Atlético Madrid/Tottenham) vs (Bodø/Glimt/Sporting or Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal)

This bracket structure adds an extra layer of strategic depth, as managers and fans alike will be analyzing not just their immediate opponent, but also the potential challenges that lie further down the road.

Fixture Congestion: A Challenge for English Clubs in March

For the English clubs involved in the Champions League Round of 16 – Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Arsenal – March 2026 presents a particularly challenging period of fixture congestion. While they prepare for their crucial European **rd round fixtures**, they also have significant domestic commitments, most notably the Emirates FA Cup. The Fifth Round Proper of the FA Cup is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026. This means that any English team progressing deep in both competitions could face an incredibly demanding schedule, playing an FA Cup tie on Saturday, March 7th, and then a Champions League first leg just days later on March 10th or 11th. Such a tight turnaround allows minimal time for rest, recovery, and tactical preparation. Managers will need to employ shrewd squad rotation and meticulous planning to navigate this period without burning out their key players or compromising their chances in either competition. The depth of a squad and the ability to manage player fatigue will be absolutely critical. For more details on the FA Cup schedule, you can check out related articles like FA Cup 2025-26 Dates: When is the Third Round Proper? This overlap highlights the intense demands placed on elite clubs competing on multiple fronts.

Conclusion

The 2025-26 Champions League Round of 16 promises to deliver an unforgettable spectacle of football. With titanic clashes like Real Madrid vs Manchester City and PSG vs Chelsea, coupled with inspiring underdog stories and tactical battles, the **rd round fixtures** are set to captivate audiences worldwide. Mark your calendars for March 10-11 and March 17-18 for the first and second legs, respectively, as the continent's elite battle for a place in the quarter-finals. The road to Budapest begins in earnest, and every goal, every tackle, and every strategic decision will count. For a deeper dive into the specific draw implications, refer to UCL Knockouts: Real Madrid-Man City Leads 2025-26 R16 Draw. Get ready for an exhilarating month of Champions League action!