Champions League round-of-16 draw summary: teams, games, dates

When are the UEL knockout round playoffs?

The first legs of the eight knockout round playoffs are to be played on 15 February 2024, with the second legs on 22 February 2024.

A reminder that the winners of these ties will move on to the Europa League last 16, where they will each face one of the eight group winners.

Europa League knockout round playoffs: full draw

Benfica vs Toulouse
Braga vs Qarabag
Feyenoord vs Roma
Galatasaray vs Sparta Prague
Lens vs Freiburg
Milan vs Rennes
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Marseille
Young Boys vs Sporting CP

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Marseille

And rounding off the Europa League draw, Shakhtar Donetsk - who were edged out for Champions League last-16 qualification by Porto in Group H - will take on Marseille.

The Frenchmen were runners-up in UEL Group B.

Galatasaray vs Sparta Prague

Galatasaray, who beat Manchester United to third place in Champions League Group A, get a knockout round playoff against Sparta Prague. The Czechs were second in Europa League Group C.

Braga vs Qarabag

Braga, who finished third in UCL Group C, are drawn with UEL Group H runners-up Qarabag.

Benfica vs Toulouse

Benfica, third in UCL Group D, will take on Toulouse, runners-up in UEL Group E.

Young Boys vs Sporting CP

Young Boys, who finished third in UCL Group G, will take on Sporting CP, who were runners-up in UEL Group D.

Lens vs Freiburg

Lens will face Freiburg.

Milan vs Rennes

AC Milan, who finished third in Champions League Group F, will take on Rennes.

Europa League knockout round playoffs draw: Feyenoord vs Roma

Feyenoord are the first UCL third-placed team out of the hat, and they will face Roma in the knockout round playoffs.

Champions League last-16 draw: reminder

Right, we're going to move on to the Europa League draw. Here's a reminder of the Champions League last-16 ties:

Copenhagen vs Man City
Inter vs Atlético
Lazio vs Bayern
Napoli vs Barcelona
Porto vs Arsenal
PSG vs Real Sociedad
PSV vs Borussia Dortmund
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid

First legs on 13, 14, 20 and 21 February 2024; second legs on 5, 6, 12 and 13 March 2024.

La Real meet PSG for first time

As for Real Sociedad, who delivered such a splendid group-stage performance, the Txuri-urdin will face Paris Saint-Germain for what appears to be the first time ever in a competitive match.

They'll obviously be the underdogs - but, as our friends at the Spanish Football Podcast note, this is a side that very much has what it takes to inflict a third straight last-16 exit on PSG.

Arsenal up against Porto for first time since 2010

In their first Champions League knockout-stage tie since 2017, Arsenal face a club that they knocked out in the last 16 the last time they met.

In the 2009/10 season, the Gunners walloped Porto 5-0 in the second leg, ensuring that a 2-1 defeat in the opener in Portugal didn't matter.

In all, the sides have faced off in six Champions League games, with Arsenal winning three and Porto winning two.

City chief cautions against Copenhagen complacency

Speaking on Spanish TV, Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain has done his very best impression of someone who is not utterly ecstatic about drawing Copenhagen.

"They knocked out Galatasaray and Manchester United, so they must have done something right," he insisted.

With the greatest respect to Galatasaray and Manchester United, they are not Manchester City. Even the current, out-of-form City.

Barça meet for Napoli again under Xavi

On their return to the knockout stages, Barcelona have drawn a side that they last met in the 2021/22 Europa League, only a couple of months after Xavi Hernández's appointment as Camp Nou boss.

The Blaugrana were 5-3 aggregate winners over Napoli in that year's UEL knockout playoff round.

Madrid and Leipzig meet for 2nd straight UCL campaign

AS journalist and No. 1 Real Madrid fan Tomás Roncero was actually keen on another match-up with PSG. In the end, however, Los Blancos have been given what is, theoretically at least, a slightly less difficult tie against RB Leipzig.

That said, Leipzig were winners the last time the sides met. Josko Gvardiol, Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner were on target for the Germans in a 3-2 win at Red Bull Arena in the 2022/23 group stage.

Inter vs Atlético a tight one - Opta

Opta’s supercomputer had also thrown up Inter Milan vs Atlético as one of the potential ties that would be statistically the closest-matched.

Atleti boss Diego Simeone faces the club he spent four years at as a player, of course.

Danish draw a dream for City

So, what to make of that draw? 

Ahead of today's ball-plucking, Opta had named Copenhagen vs Manchester City as statistically the biggest possible mismatch in this season's round of 16.

The betting odds on that one will be quite something.

When are the UCL last-16 ties?

The first legs will be played on Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14, Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 February 2024. 

The second legs will then follow on Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6, Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 March 2024.

More information here and the exact schedule will be confirmed in due course.

UCL last-16 draw in full

Copenhagen vs Man City
Inter vs Atlético
Lazio vs Bayern
Napoli vs Barcelona
Porto vs Arsenal
PSG vs Real Sociedad
PSV vs Borussia Dortmund
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid

RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid

And that leaves RB Leipzig and Real Madrid as the only teams left to be drawn.

Copenhagen vs Man City

Copenhagen come out next, and they, too, can only be drawn with one remaining team. The Danes will meet tournament holders Manchester City.

Lazio vs Bayern

Lazio are the following club out of the hat, and they only have one possible opponent: Bayern Munich.

PSV vs Dortmund

PSV Eindhoven are the next team to emerge from one of those fiddly little balls.

And PSV will meet... Borussia Dortmund!

Inter vs Atlético

Inter Milan are pitted against... Atlético Madrid!

PSG vs Real Sociedad

PSG are the third runner-up to be drawn out.

The Parisians are paired with... Real Sociedad!

Napoli vs Barcelona

Next up, Mr Terry plucks out Napoli.

Napoli will face Barcelona!

First tie out of the hat: Porto vs Arsenal

Porto are the first runner-up out of the hat, and they are drawn with... Arsenal!

Time for the draw!

Before the draw starts, Giorgio Marchetti runs through the teams who have qualified. I will do likewise.

Group winners:

Arsenal (ENG)
Atlético Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP)
Bayern Munich (GER)
Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Manchester City (ENG)
Real Madrid (ESP)
Real Sociedad (ESP)

Group runners-up:

Copenhagen (DEN)
Inter (ITA)
Lazio (ITA)
Napoli (ITA)
Porto (POR)
PSG (FRA)
PSV Eindhoven (NED)
RB Leipzig (GER)

John Terry to assist with UCL last-16 draw

Former Chelsea captain John Terry, a winner with the Blues in 2012 - albeit he missed the final - will be helping out with the draw.

He's brought onto the stage, initially for a brief chinwag with Pinto.

Asked who he was particularly impressed with in the group stage, he says: "Team-wise I think you have to look at Real Madrid, for me. I think [Jude] Bellingham's been incredible as an individual."

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Champions League round-of-16 draw: date, time and how to watch on TV, online

By the way, if you're wondering at this late stage how you can watch the draw, let me nudge you in the direction of our guide on where to tune in on TV or online.

Almost draw time!

The draw event is now underway at the House of European Football in Nyon.

We're currently being shown a video reminding us of the 16 teams in today's draw.

Next, draw host Pedro Pinto welcomes UEFA's deputy general-secretary Giorgio Marchetti onto the stage. 

Copenhagen through after stunning Galatasaray, Man Utd

And, finally, completing the last-16 line-up is Denmark’s Copenhagen, who have qualified for the Champions League knockout stages for only the second time in their history.

The Danes beat Galatasaray and, notably, Manchester United on their way to taking second in Group A ahead of that pair.

Copenhagen’s only previous time in the Champions League was 2010/11, when they lost 2-0 on aggregate to Chelsea.

(Photo: EFE/EPA/Mads Claus Rasmussen)

PSV return to knockouts after seven years away

Dutchmen PSV Eindhoven, who were European champions in 1988, have made the Champions League last 16 for the first time since 2015/16.

They finished one point ahead of Lens to take second behind Arsenal in Group B.

(Photo: EFE/EPA/MAURICE VAN STEEN)

Porto just edged out for Group H top spot

Porto are flying the flag for Portugal after finishing second to Barcelona in Group H. In the end, Sergio Conceiçao's men were only denied top spot on head-to-head.

The Portuguese are in the UCL last 16 for the second straight season, and are two-time European champions.

Any excuse to show that Rabah Madjer backheel:

PSG in knockouts for 12th year in a row

Of the countries with just the one last-16 representative, meanwhile, Ligue 1 offers up the likeliest potential challenger for the Champions League trophy. That said, Paris Saint-Germain have become past masters in knockout-stage imposions.

The 2020 finalists came second in Group F behind Dortmund, squeaking though because of their better head-to-head record against Milan

The Parisians are in the knockout stages for the 12th straight season, and are aiming to progress beyond the last 16 for the first time since 2020/21.

(Photo: REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay)

RB Leipzig in last 16 for fourth time in six UCL campaigns

Rounding out the Bundesliga's knockout-stage threesome is RB Leipzig, who came second to Manchester City in Group G.

They're in the Champions League knockout stages for the fourth time since their tournament debut in 2017/18.

(Photo: EFE/EPA/FILIP SINGER)

Dortmund in hat after surviving 'group of death'

1997 winners Borussia Dortmund did very well to win Group F, this season's ‘group of death’.  

Having come through that section ahead of PSG, AC Milan and Newcastle, the Germans are into the UCL knockouts for the ninth time since 2012/13.

Before then, they had come through the group stage three times in the first two decades of the competition’s existence.

Bayern continue two-decade run in UCL knockouts

Moving on to Germany's three teams, let's start with Bayern. The six-time European champions were, by a number of country miles, the best team in Group A. They won the section by eight points over second-placed Copenhagen.

The Bavarians have been in the Champions League knockout stages in every season since their surprise exit from the first group-stage in 2002/03.

(Photo: EFE/EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN)

Lazio into UCL knockouts for third time

Lazio, the final member of Serie A's last-16 trio, are in the Champions League knockout stages for the third time, having taken second in Group E behind Atlético and ahead of Feyenoord and Celtic.

The Rome club were last in the round of 16 in 2020/21, losing to Bayern Munich. Before then, they reached the quarters in 1999/2000, exiting to eventual finalists Valencia.

It's worth noting that they also made the second group stage in 2000/01, before that rather odd format was abolished.

(Photo: OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)

Napoli's first back-to-back knockout-stage qualification

Napoli, the defending Italian champions, are in the UCL knockouts for the second year on the trot. It's the first time that the Partenopei have made the knockout stages in consecutive seasons. 

They came second to Real Madrid in Group C, with their only defeats of the round-robin phase coming against Los Merengues.

(Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Inter one of three Italian group runners-up

Of Italy's three last-16 representatives, its is Inter Milan who - by a distance - have the most impressive European Cup/Champions League pedigree.

Beaten finalists last season, the three-time European champions have booked their berth in the Champions League knockouts for the third year in a row.

Like fellow Italians Napoli and Lazio, Simone Inzaghi's side have progressed in second place. They were beaten to Group D top spot by Real Sociedad on goal difference.

(Photo: Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

Arsenal join City in top pot on UCL return

Arsenal, meanwhile, have qualified for the knockout stages at the first attempt on their return to tournament, having last been involved in the Champions League in 2016/17.

The Gunners, who had progressed from the group stage for 14 straight years before failing to qualify for the 2017/18 UCL, won Group B ahead of PSV.

(Photo: NEIL HALL/EFE)

City into knockouts once more after perfect group stage

Tournament holders Manchester City, who take on Urawa Reds in the Club World Cup semi-finals tomorrow, are in the Champions League knockout stages for the 11th straight season.

Pep Guardiola's men topped Group G ahead of RB Leipzig, and - like Real Madrid - won all six group games.

City are only the second Premier League team ever to finish the group stage with a 100% record.

(Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP)

For first time in a decade, PL down to two in last 16

For the first time since 2012/13, there are only two Premier League teams in the Champions League last-16 draw.

While Arsenal and Manchester City both won their groups, Manchester United and Newcastle both finished fourth. Before this season, English teams had come bottom of their Champions League group on just three occasions.

Atlético in round of 16 after unbeaten group stage

Completing the LaLiga contingent in the round-of-16 draw is Atlético Madrid, who are making their return to the Champions League last 16 after group-stage elimination last season 

Diego Simeone's men were undefeated in the round-robin phase, winning Group E ahead of Lazio.

Los Rojiblancos are in the Champions League knockout stages for the ninth time since Simeone took over at the club at the end of 2011. Before the Argentine's appointment, they had managed that just twice before.

Barcelona return to UCL last 16

After two straight group-stage exits, five-time winners Barcelona are back in the knockout stages.

The Blaugrana last progressed to the Champions League round of 16 in 2020/21, and last got through a round-of-16 tie in 2019/20 - a season which, you may remember, ended up with an 8-2 tonking by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. 

Xavi Hernández's men won Group H ahead of FC Porto, despite losing two of their last three games. 

(Photo: EFE/EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS)

Real Sociedad in last 16 for first time in two decades

Real Madrid may have won all their games, but Spain's stand-out group stage performance came from Real Sociedad, who topped their section for the first time in their history.

The Basques edged out three-time European champions Inter Milan to win Group D on goal difference, and are in the last 16 for the second time in the Champions League era.  

La Real's only previously appearance at this stage of the competition came in 2003/04, although they did also reach the semi-finals of the old European Cup in 1982/83.

(Photo: DANIELE MASCOLO/Reuters)

Real Madrid in UCL knockouts yet again

Of Spain's four last-16 teams, it was Real Madrid who qualified the most emphatically. 

Los Blancos won all six group games - a feat they hadn't achieved since 2014. It's one of only 13 times in Champions League history that a team has completed a perfect group stage.

The 14-time European champions are in the Champions League knockout stages for the 27th straight season.

(Photo: JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA/DIARIO AS)

Which country has the most UCL last-16 teams this year?

That would be Spain. All but one of LaLiga's five group-stage teams made it through to the knockouts, with Europa League winners Sevilla the only Spanish team to miss out.

And not only do Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad all go into the hat at UEFA HQ, but they all do so having each won their group.

Italy and Germany both have three teams in the last 16; England has just the two this year; and there is one each from Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Portugal.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

What is the Champions League format change?

This is, as I alluded to in my preamble, the last time that the round of 16 will be featuring group winners against group runners-up.

As of next year, a revamped Champions League format will see the top eight teams from one big first-round league qualify for the knockout stages.

They will be joined in the last 16 by the winners of eight playoff ties contested by the teams finishing ninth to 24th.

My colleagues Joe Brennan and Will Gittins have the lowdown on the new Champions League format.

How will the UCL round-of-16 draw work?

At the Champions League's last-16 stage, it isn't yet an open draw - but there aren't too many conditions to remember.

The main thing to know is that, for each tie, a group winner will be paired with a runner-up. That aside, there are two rules to keep in mind: 

1) Sides cannot be drawn with a team they faced in this season's group stage, and

2) Clubs from the same national association will be kept apart.

This is the final stage of the tournament at which teams are separated by country.

(Photo: EFE/EPA/GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO)
 

Which teams are in today's UCL draw?

The 16 teams that will go into the hat in Nyon are:

Group winners:

Arsenal (ENG)
Atlético Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP)
Bayern Munich (GER)
Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Manchester City (ENG)
Real Madrid (ESP)
Real Sociedad (ESP)

Group runners-up:

Copenhagen (DEN)
Inter (ITA)
Lazio (ITA)
Napoli (ITA)
Porto (POR)
PSG (FRA)
PSV Eindhoven (NED)
RB Leipzig (GER)

UCL round-of-16 draw live coverage: welcome!

Hello! The Champions League group stage is over, seemingly never to return - and with an interminable, two-month wait ahead of us till they arrive, 'tis on to the knockout rounds we go.

At UEFA HQ today, we'll find out who'll be facing who in the eight last-16 ties.

The draw is scheduled to get going at 12 noon local time in Nyon, Switzerland. In the United States, that's 6am/3am ET.