Champions League Last 16 Draw: Date, Time and How to Watch Live
As the Champions League group stage reaches its thrilling conclusion, attention turns to the eagerly anticipated round of 16 draw. Europe's premier club competition is about to enter its most exclusive phase, with the continent's elite clubs battling for continental supremacy.
When is the Champions League Last 16 Draw?
The draw for the Champions League round of 16 will take place on Thursday, February 27 at 11am GMT. This crucial event occurs just two days after the completion of the knockout play-off round fixtures on February 25, marking the moment when the tournament truly enters its knockout phase.
This draw will not only determine the last 16 pairings but will also map out the entire remainder of the competition, including the quarter-final and semi-final brackets. Higher-seeded teams will enjoy the significant advantage of hosting the second leg at their home stadium, with any team defeating a higher-seeded opponent then assuming their seeding position.
How to Watch the Draw Live
Like all Champions League draws, the round of 16 proceedings will be broadcast live via the official UEFA website. Football fans across the UK can follow the draw as it happens through UEFA's official channels, with comprehensive coverage and immediate reaction available from major sports media outlets.
Premier League Representation
The Premier League appears set for strong representation in this season's knockout stages, with six English clubs competing in this year's Champions League: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle.
Heading into the final group stage fixtures, five of these clubs occupy top-eight positions that would secure automatic qualification to the last 16. Only Manchester City currently sit outside this elite group following their surprise defeat to Bodo/Glimt last week.
Securing automatic qualification provides significant advantages, allowing clubs to avoid the additional two-legged knockout play-off round. However, this means supporters must wait until after the play-off round concludes to discover the complete lineup of 16 qualified clubs.
How the Draw Works
The Champions League round of 16 draw operates on a specific format:
- The top eight finishers from the league phase progress directly to the last 16 as seeded teams
- The remaining eight places are filled by clubs who successfully navigate the knockout play-off round
- A pre-determined bracket divides the 16 teams into four sections
- Seeded sides from each section are paired against one of their two possible opponents
Last 16 Match Schedule
The Champions League last 16 fixtures follow a tight schedule:
- First Legs: March 10 and March 11
- Second Legs: March 17 and March 18
The Premier League has already confirmed that domestic fixtures will be adjusted to accommodate Champions League participation. For example, if Manchester City play away in Europe on March 11, their Premier League match against West Ham on March 14 would move from 12:30pm to 8pm. Similarly, Liverpool's potential European commitments could see their March 21 fixture against Brighton rescheduled from lunchtime to an evening kick-off.
Additionally, the EFL Cup final on March 22 may affect other domestic fixture times, with final decisions to be confirmed closer to the dates in question.
As the Champions League enters its most exciting phase, football fans across Britain and Europe await the February 27 draw with anticipation, ready to discover which European giants will face each other in the pursuit of continental glory.
