Every Team Qualified for the 2025–26 Champions League Knockout Stages

Some famous faces will have to go through the playoffs to get through to the next round.

On to the next round of the Champions League. | James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images

A dramatic conclusion to the Champions League league phase had hearts pumping and adrenaline surging all across Europe.

Arsenal enjoyed a relaxing night, having been the first team to book their spot in the knockout stages of the competition, but those below the Gunners in the standings still had work left to do in the twilight of the first round.

Here’s every team who ultimately made it through. If the latest information has not loaded, click below to refresh.

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Every Team Qualified for Champions League Round of 16

Arsenal enjoyed perfect finish to the league phase. | Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Arsenal became the first side to definitively seal their place in the round of 16, and they didn’t even have to play a game, benefitting from Manchester City’s shock defeat to Bodø/Glimt before rubber-stamping their lofty status with a 3–1 win over Inter at San Siro.

The Gunners sealed top spot on the final day with a comprehensive victory over minnows Kairat, and they were joined in the top two by Bayern Munich, who sealed the spot in which they had started the final day with a dramatic 2–1 win away at PSV Eindhoven.

Liverpool made light work of Qarabağ to seal third spot, and behind them sat none other than Tottenham Hotspur. Thomas Frank’s side racked up 17 points in eight games, having managed just 11 more in the Premier League so far this season.

Copenhagen threatened to complicate Barcelona’s route to the knockouts, but a roaring 4–1 comeback victory booked Hansi Flick’s side’s spot in the next round. They were joined by Chelsea, who also had to come from behind to beat Napoli.

Sporting CP squeezed through to the knockouts by the skin of their teeth. A 95th-minute winner over Athletic Club sent them flying up into seventh—a cause aided by Real Madrid’s shock defeat at the hands of Benfica.

Madrid tumbled below Manchester City and will have to go through the playoffs if they want another shot at the European crown.

Teams Automatically Through to Champions League Last 16

• Arsenal
• Bayern Munich
• Liverpool
• Tottenham
• Barcelona
• Chelsea
• Sporting CP
• Man City

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Every Team in Champions League Knockout Playoffs

Real Madrid have work to do | Diego Souto/Getty Images

It looked like Real Madrid would get away with their defeat to Benfica before Sporting’s late winner dumped them down into the playoffs.

Los Blancos are by no means the only big names in the playoffs, however. Inter and Paris Saint-Germain, last year’s finalists, both need to fight for their spot in the next round.

Newcastle United held their own against the French giants on the final day, earning a point to ensure they finished above Juventus, Atlético Madrid and Atalanta.

Bayer Leverkusen, Borussa Dortmund and Olympiacos all finished two points clear of elimination, while Club Brugge roared up the standings thanks to a 3–0 win over Marseille.

There are spots in the playoffs for Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabaġ and Bodø/Glimt, but the biggest drama of all came from Benfica. A 98th-minute strike from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin against Real Madrid gave José Mourinho’s side the goal difference needed to climb above Marseille and into the draw.

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