Real, Barça and Atlético to face EPL teams in Champions League Round of 16

Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético draw English Premier League rivals in Champions League Round of 16

Real faces Manchester City; Barcelona meets Newcastle; Atlético against Tottenham in March ties

BlaugranaNews EditorialFebruary 28, 20261 min read

So what

These high-profile clashes will test Spanish clubs against dominant English teams, shaping their prospects in the Champions League this season.

The 2026 Champions League Round of 16 draw has paired Spain’s top clubs—Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid—with English Premier League opponents. Real Madrid will host Manchester City on March 11 and play the return leg in England on March 17, continuing a recurring European rivalry under Pep Guardiola’s management.

Barcelona will face Newcastle United, with the first leg away on March 10 and the second leg at Camp Nou on March 18, giving the Catalans the advantage of playing the decisive match at home.

Atlético Madrid is drawn against Tottenham Hotspur, a team strong in European competitions but currently struggling domestically in the Premier League. Despite this, Tottenham secured direct qualification with an impressive group stage performance.

Historically, English clubs have had the upper hand this season in direct clashes with Spanish sides, with Barcelona being the only La Liga team to beat a Premier League club so far. Should Barcelona and Atlético both progress, they might meet in the quarter-finals, setting up a dramatic Spanish showdown.

These fixtures represent critical tests for Spanish football clubs as they compete against English teams that have dominated European football recently. The outcomes will heavily influence La Liga's standing and ambitions in this season’s Champions League.