Champions League Brackets 25 26: Complete Guide to the Knock‑out Phase

The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League has entered its most exciting stage – the knockout brackets. After a thrilling league phase filled with spectacular goals, the draw has produced eight round‑of‑16 ties that will decide which clubs advance to the quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and ultimately the grand final. This article breaks down the brackets, highlights the key matchups, and tells you where to catch the best moments.

How the Brackets Are Formed

UEFA follows a strict seeding system for the round of 16. The eight group winners are paired with the eight runners‑up, with the following rules:

Once the round of 16 is set, the path to the final is fixed. The winners of each tie are placed into a pre‑determined bracket that leads to the quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final, which will be played at a neutral venue in Istanbul.

Round‑of‑16 Matchups

Below are the eight ties that make up the 2025/26 Champions League brackets. All dates and venues are confirmed by UEFA.

  1. PSG vs Chelsea – A classic clash of French flair against English resilience. The first leg at Parc des Princes will be a test of PSG’s attacking depth, while Chelsea will look to exploit the counter‑attack at Stamford Bridge.
  2. Manchester United vs RB Leipzig – United aim to revive their European pedigree, whereas Leipzig bring a high‑pressing style that has unsettled several top clubs this season.
  3. Arsenal vs Inter Milan – Both teams have displayed tactical versatility in the league phase; the tie could be decided by set‑piece efficiency.
  4. Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich – A repeat of past finals, this encounter pits the Spanish giants’ experience against the German side’s relentless pressing.
  5. Juventus vs Porto – Juventus seek to return to the latter stages, while Porto will rely on their quick transitions