The picture is now clear for the six Premier League clubs left standing in the UEFA Champions League, with the round of 16 draw set to define the road to Budapest.
Liverpool and Arsenal secured automatic qualification for the knockout phase after strong league stage campaigns, while Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also confirmed their last 16 places without the need for play-offs. Newcastle United had to take the longer route but emphatically booked their spot with a 9-2 aggregate demolition of Qarabag.
The Champions League draw takes place at 11 am GMT on Friday, February 27, 2026, and is being held at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland. With the play-offs concluded, each English side can now narrow their potential opponents down to two.
Arsenal
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal were faultless in the league phase and now face either Bayer 04 Leverkusen or Atalanta BC.
A meeting with Leverkusen would add extra intrigue, while Atalanta earned their place by overturning Borussia Dortmund in dramatic fashion during the play-offs.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s route could include an all-English clash. If paired accordingly, they may face Newcastle in a heavyweight Premier League showdown on the European stage.
Alternatively, the Blues could be drawn against French opposition. Paris Saint-Germain progressed after edging a thrilling tie against AS Monaco, keeping alive the possibility of a trip to Paris.
Manchester City
For Pep Guardiola and City, familiarity awaits. They will be drawn against either Real Madrid CF or FK Bodø/Glimt.
Both sides faced each other earlier in the competition. Bodø/Glimt impressed in the Arctic Circle and carried that form into the play-offs, while Real Madrid overcame Benfica to stay in contention.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s ambition to add a seventh European crown remains intact, but their draw will not be straightforward. They are set to meet either Atlético de Madrid or Galatasaray SK.
Atletico swept aside Club Brugge, while Galatasaray prevailed in a dramatic extra-time contest against Juventus to reach this stage.
Newcastle
Newcastle’s reward for their commanding play-off performance could be a daunting tie against Barcelona.
The Spanish champions secured automatic qualification after finishing fifth in the league phase and would represent a stern test for Eddie Howe’s side. Alternatively, the Magpies could find themselves opposite Chelsea, guaranteeing English representation in the quarter-finals.
Tottenham
Tottenham share the same bracket as Liverpool and will face either Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray.
With the draw also mapping out the route to the final, attention now turns to Friday morning in Nyon, where the remaining contenders will discover not just their next opponent, but the potential pathway to European glory.
