The road to Budapest just got a whole lot tougher for Europe’s elite. Following the official draw in Nyon on Friday, February 27, 2026, the Champions League Round of 16 has served up a series of "Final-quality" matchups that will see at least two pre-tournament favorites exit before the Quarter-Finals.
The Headline Act: Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
For the eighth time in 13 years, the two titans of modern European football will collide.
The Rivalry Renewed: After City narrowly beat Madrid 2–1 in the league phase back in December, Carlo Ancelotti’s side (who had to navigate the playoffs after finishing 9th) now has a chance for immediate revenge.
The Injury Factor: Real Madrid are currently sweating on the fitness of Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, both of whom missed the playoff win over Benfica. City, meanwhile, will hope the newly returned Jeremy Doku is back to full flight by March.
Schedule: The first leg will take place at the Bernabéu on March 10/11, with the return leg at the Etihad on March 17/18.
The "Revenge" Mission: PSG vs. Chelsea
Holders Paris Saint-Germain have been handed a daunting tie against a resurgent Chelsea side that is currently setting disciplinary records but finding domestic success under Liam Rosenior.
Club World Cup Rematch: This is a direct repeat of the 2025 Club World Cup Final, which Chelsea won 3–0 last summer.
The "Doué" Factor: All eyes will be on PSG’s Désiré Doué, who is currently chasing the U21 knockout scoring record, to see if he can dismantle a Chelsea defense that has looked vulnerable in 2026.
Real Madrid Vs Man City.
PSG Vs Chelsea.
Newcastle Vs Barcelona.
Galatasaray Vs Liverpool.
Bayer Leverkusen Vs Arsenal.
Atalanta Vs Bayern Munich.
Atlético Madrid Vs Tottenham.
Bodø/Glimt Vs Sporting CP.
The Verdict: With six English teams in the last 16, the Premier League’s dominance is clear—but the bracket has ensured that some of the biggest hitters will knock each other out early.