European football took centre stage on Friday as UEFA completed the draws for the decisive rounds of both the Europa League and the Champions League, mapping out the road to Istanbul and Budapest respectively.
Supporters now have a clearer picture of who stands between their clubs and continental glory, with several heavyweight ties already stirring anticipation.
Europa League Round of 16 and Beyond Confirmed
Europa League draw
The Europa League Round of 16 draw has thrown up a series of intriguing encounters. Hungarian champions Ferencváros will meet Braga of Portugal, while Celta Vigo face French giants Lyon in one of the standout ties.
Elsewhere, Panathinaikos are set to battle Real Betis, Genk will square off against Freiburg, and Stuttgart have been paired with Porto. Nottingham Forest’s European adventure continues with a tie against Midtjylland, while an all-Italian contest between Bologna and Roma promises plenty of drama. Lille and Aston Villa complete the last-16 line-up.
Full Europa League Round of 16 fixtures:
Europa League draw
Ferencváros vs Braga
Panathinaikos vs Real Betis
Genk vs Freiburg
Celta vs Lyon
Stuttgart vs Porto
Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland
Bologna vs Roma
Lille vs Aston Villa
The Round of 16 matches will be played on 12 and 19 March 2026.
The path to the semi-finals is also clear. The winner of Ferencváros against Braga will face either Panathinaikos or Real Betis in the quarter-finals. Genk or Freiburg will meet Celta or Lyon, while Stuttgart or Porto take on Nottingham Forest or Midtjylland. The winners of Bologna against Roma will clash with Lille or Aston Villa.
Quarter-final fixtures are scheduled for 9 and 16 April 2026, with the semi-finals set for 30 April and 7 May 2026. The Europa League final will be staged in Istanbul on 20 May 2026.
The semi-final bracket ensures that one of Ferencváros, Braga, Panathinaikos, Real Betis, Genk, Freiburg, Celta or Lyon will contest the final from one side, while Stuttgart, Porto, Nottingham Forest, Midtjylland, Bologna, Roma, Lille or Aston Villa will emerge from the other half.
Champions League Quarter-Final and Semi-Final Draw Completed
Attention also turned to the continent’s elite competition as the Champions League quarter-final and semi-final draws were finalised following the earlier Round of 16 ceremony.
A mouth-watering last-eight clash awaits the winners of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, who will meet either Galatasaray or Liverpool.
In the other quarter-final ties, the victors from Real Madrid against Manchester City will play Atalanta or Bayern Munich. Newcastle United or Barcelona will take on either Atletico Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur. The final quarter-final pairing pits Bodø/Glimt or Sporting CP against Bayer Leverkusen or Arsenal.
Champions League quarter-final draw:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
Real Madrid/Manchester City vs Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid/Tottenham
Bodø/Glimt/Sporting CP vs Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
The quarter-finals will be played on 7 and 8 April, with return legs on 14 and 15 April 2026. Semi-final ties are scheduled for 28 and 29 April, and 5 and 6 May 2026.
