Every Potential Match in the 2025–26 Champions League Quarterfinals

The Champions League quarterfinals guarantee some colossal clashes.

There are some mammoth quarterfinal ties on the horizon. | Photo courtesy of UEFA

We’re three quarters of the way through the Champions League round of 16 and there has already been an overabundance of drama.

The second leg of the round of 16 ties took center stage on Tuesday with reigning champions PSG and 15-time champions Real Madrid building on their lopsided first leg advantages to bury Premier League behemoths Chelsea and Manchester City.

Arsenal vanquished Bayer Leverkusen at home and Sporting CP put an end to Bodø/Glimt’s fairytale run with a brilliant comeback, overturning a three-goal deficit to eliminate the Norwegian outfit with a 5–0 extra time win.

Four more teams will complete the quarterfinals field on Wednesday, but already a round of tantalizing matchups lies in wait as the race for the Champions League trophy heats up. Here are the possible quarterfinal clashes in this year’s competition.

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Every Potential Champions League Quarterfinal Matchup

Liverpool could face PSG for the second season running. | Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images/DeFodi/Getty Images.

Champions League Quarterfinal Matchups
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Galatasaray or Liverpool
Real Madrid vs. Atalanta or Bayern Munich
Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur
Sporting CP vs. Arsenal

All remaining Champions League participants know their two possible quarterfinal opponents if they’re able to progress. The bracket was confirmed after the last 16 draw and presents each team with their path to the showpiece event at the end of May.

One quarterfinals clash has already been set in stone, as Sporting CP will look to build on their confidence-boosting comeback to try and upset Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side, however, have been near flawless in Europe this season and are the overwhelming favorites to advance to the semifinals.

Although it‘s not yet confirmed, everything points toward Real Madrid and Bayern Munich reigniting a storied European rivalry between two of the biggest teams in the continent. Álvaro Arbeloa outclassed Pep Guardiola in the last 16 and Los Blancos, in their favorite competition, will like their chances with some of their biggest stars returning from injury.

Bayern, on the other hand, can certainly start planning their quarterfinal itinerary. Having secured a breathtaking 6–1 victory away at Atalanta in their round of 16 first leg, they have essentially booked their ticket to the last eight.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich last met in the 2022–23 semifinals. | Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain completely dismantled Chelsea with an 8-2 aggregate win to continue their title defense into the quarterfinals. Luis Enrique’s side showed its championship credentials and will be the favorite again in the tie against either Galatasaray or Liverpool.

Liverpool are trailing by a single goal after their trip to Istanbul but will fancy their chances of progression on another European night under the lights at Anfield. Even if the Reds do make the last eight, they will be fearing the worst, playing PSG for a second season running in the knockout phase.

Barcelona await Spurs or (almost certainly) Atlético Madrid. The Magpies were excellent in their 1–1 draw with their Catalan foes but were blown out of the water in the return leg, losing 7–2 at Camp Nou as Hansi Flick’s side breezed through to the next round.

Barça have recent history of succumbing to Atléti over two legs. They were thrashed 4–0 in their Copa del Rey semifinal first leg by the capital side, ending the defense of their crown despite a subsequent 3–0 win on home soil. In Europe, Flick’s men have lost their most recent two knockout stage ties against Los Rojiblancos in 2013–14 and 2015–16.

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When Will the Champions League Quarterfinals Be Played?

The Champions League quarterfinals take place next month. | Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Teams who reach the last eight of the competition will have to wait for their quarterfinal matchups. The fixtures arrive in the first half of April, after the March international break.

The first leg will be staged on Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8, followed by the return fixtures on Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15.

The semifinals are staged at the end of April and beginning of May, with the final itself held at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on May 30.

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