The excitement of the UEFA Champions League continues as the Round of 16 draw for the 2024-25 season approaches. Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the matchups that will determine the path to glory for Europe's elite clubs.
Here’s everything you need to know about the draw, including the date, qualified teams, and where to watch it live.
Round of 16 Draw Date and Live Broadcast Channels
The draw for the Round of 16 is scheduled to take place on Friday, Feb 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM GMT, and it will be broadcast live on the following channels:
- beIN Sports News
- UEFA’s Official Website
Teams Qualified Directly for the Round of 16
The following teams have secured their spots in the Round of 16:
- Liverpool (England)
- Barcelona (Spain)
- Arsenal (England)
- Inter Milan (Italy)
- Atletico Madrid (Spain)
- Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
- Lille (France)
- Aston Villa (England)
These teams will enjoy the advantage of hosting the second leg of their Round of 16 ties.
New Format: How the Round of 16 Draw Works
Under the new format, the teams that qualified directly for the Round of 16 will face opponents who advanced through the knockout stage. The matchups will be determined based on the teams' positions in the group stage standings.
- Liverpool (1st) and Barcelona (2nd) will await the winners of the knockout ties involving Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica.
- Arsenal (3rd) and Inter Milan (4th) will face the winners of the ties between Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven.
- Atletico Madrid (5th) and Bayer Leverkusen (6th) could potentially face Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, setting up a potential Madrid derby or a German clash.
- Lille (7th) and Aston Villa (8th) will meet the winners of the ties involving Club Brugge and Borussia Dortmund.
Potential Blockbuster Matchups in the Round of 16
The draw could produce some thrilling encounters:
- A Madrid derby after Real Madrid overcomes Manchester City
- A German showdown between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich
Advantage of Hosting the Second Leg
Teams that qualified directly for the Round of 16 will host the second leg of their ties. This advantage could prove crucial, as playing at home in the decisive match often boosts a team’s chances of advancing.
