Who will Real Madrid play next in the Champions League? Round-of-16 opponents, UCL draw
After seeing off Benfica in the playoff round, Madrid continue their pursuit of a 16th European title.
Goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Vinícius Júnior earned Real Madrid a 2-1 win over Benfica on Wednesday, completing a 3-1 aggregate victory in the playoff clash. That victory secures Real Madrid’s passage in European soccer’s top club competition.
The new format of the Champions league requires the teams that finished 9th-25th in the league phase to compete in an additional playoff round. Madrid’s victory over Benfica means that head coach Alvaro Arbeloa can now begin preparations for the round-of-16 next month.
Real Madrid Champions League schedule
The playoff round of the 2025/26 Champions league came to a close on Wednesday, confirming the final eight teams who will advance to the round-of-16 next month. The draw for the next round of the competition will be held on Friday, February 27 but there are only two teams that Real Madrid could play.
Los Blancos will take on either Manchester City or Sporting CP in the round-of-16. The draw will be held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon on Friday with a 12 noon start local time (6am ET/ 3am PT). Friday’s draw will also determine each team’s route through the tournament, all the way to the final in Budapest in May.
The first eight teams into the round-of-16 were confirmed after the culmination of the league phase last month. Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and Sporting CP.
Champions League draw options
- Arsenal: can draw Atalanta/Leverkusen
- Bayern: can draw Atalanta/Leverkusen
- Liverpool: can draw Juventus/Galatasaray/Atlético
- Tottenham: can draw Juventus/Galatasaray/Atlético
- Barcelona: can draw PSG/Newcastle
- Chelsea: can draw PSG/Newcastle
- Man City: can draw Real Madrid/Bodo Glimt
- Sporting: can draw Real Madrid/Bodo Glimt
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