How to watch 2026 Champions League Round of 16: FREE live streams, schedule, preview

Barcelona's Marcus Rashford scoring against Newcastle in the Champions League
(Image credit: Lee Parker/CameraSport via Getty Images)

Watch a trio of Champions League blockbusters — Newcastle vs Barcelona (Tuesday, 4 p.m. ET), Real Madrid vs Man City (Wednesday, 4 p.m. ET) and PSG vs Chelsea (Wednesday, 4 p.m. ET) — that headline the Round of 16, which also brings us the latest chapter in the Tottenham psychodrama, and a couple of ties with serious upset potential.

You can watch the 2026 UCL Round of 16 from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for FREE.

2026 UCL Round of 16 live streams: TV schedule, dates

The 2026 Champions League Round of 16 runs from Tuesday, March 10 to Wednesday, March 18. Full fixture schedule below.
• FREE STREAMS — Virgin Media Play & RTÉ Player (Ireland)
• U.S. — Paramount Plus
• U.K. — TNT Sports & Prime Video
• Watch anywhere — Try NordVPN 100% risk free

Premier League leaders Arsenal have been installed as Champions League favorites after topping the League phase standings following eight consecutive wins, and they couldn't have hoped for a much kinder draw. The Gunners are up against Bayer Leverkusen, who are enduring an inconsistent campaign, and will face either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting Lisbon if they progress to the quarterfinals.

The Norwegian minnows, however, shouldn't be underestimated, having beaten Man City, Atletico Madrid and 2025 finalists Inter — the latter home and away — in their past four fixtures, scoring at least twice per game thanks to in-form Jens Petter Hauge. Liverpool may on first glance have hit the jackpot after drawing Galatasaray, but then again the Turkish champions beat the Reds 1-0 in the league phase, courtesy of a Victor Osimhen spot-kick.

Newcastle and Barcelona have also already met in Europe this season, when a spectacular Marcus Rashford double delivered a breathless come-from-behind win at St James' Park for los Cules. Man City and Real Madrid, meanwhile, meet for the sixth time in the past seven UCL knockout stages, having also faced each other in the 2025/26 league phase. Pep Guardiola's side also came from behind, but did so comfortably to down the 15-time European champions.

And Tottenham? Relegation possibles in the Premier League and winless in 2026, they face Diego Simeone's Atletico. Good luck...

Here's how to watch the UCL Round of 16 from anywhere in the world, and potentially for free.

Champions League Round of 16 schedule 2026

How to watch Champions League Round of 16 for FREE

You can watch select Champions League Round of 16 games free-of-charge on Virgin Media Play and RTÉ Player in Ireland.

All you need is an account and you'll be good to go.

There are also select free stream options in Pakistan (Tapmad), Turkey (TRT1/Tabii), Belgium (RTL Play) and Luxembourg (VTM Go via RTL2).

Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch the UCL last 16 action as if you were right at home. NordVPN is our top pick of the options and we'll show you how to access it below.

How to watch Champions League Round of 16 from anywhere

Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the Champions League on your usual subscription?

You can still tune into the Round of 16 live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear as if they're back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:

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It's really easy to use a VPN to watch the 2026 Champions League Round of 16.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you want to watch your RTÉ Player stream of Real Madrid vs Man City, choose 'Ireland' from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to RTÉ Player, sign in, and watch Real Madrid vs Man City live.

How to watch 2025/26 Champions League Round of 16 in the U.S.

US flag

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In the U.S., every UCL Round of 16 game is available to watch on Paramount Plus.

Plans start at $8.99/month or $89.99/year, but you can get 30 days for $1 by signing up to Walmart Plus.

Outside the U.S. right now? Use NordVPN to watch your preferred coverage while abroad.

How to watch 2025/26 Champions League Round of 16 in the U.K.

British flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Champions League coverage is split between TNT Sports and Prime Video in the U.K..

Newcastle vs Barcelona is exclusive to Prime this week, while every other Round of 16 first leg is being shown on TNT Sports.

You can add TNT Sports to your Sky, Virgin Media or EE TV package, or pay £30.99/month for streaming access via Discovery Plus.

Prime Video costs £8.99/month or £95/year after a 30-day FREE trial.

Remember, if you're a U.K. resident traveling abroad, you can subscribe to NordVPN and use it to unblock your usual UCL coverage.

How to watch 2025/26 Champions League Round of 16 in Australia

Australia flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In Australia, every UCL Round of 16 ties is being shown on Stan Sport.

A subscription costs AU$20/month on top of a Stan base plan, which itself starts at AU$12/month.

Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action on your Stan Sport account as if you were back home in Oz.

How to watch 2025/26 UCL Round of 16 in Canada

Canada flag

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DAZN is showing every Champions League Round of 16 tie in Canada.

Plans currently start at CA$24.99/month on a 12-month deal. As well as the UCL, you'll get access to the Bundesliga, UFC, Matchroom Boxing, Six Nations Rugby and NFL Game Pass.

If you're on vacation outside Canada, you can still follow your usual UCL live streams by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.

How to watch 2025/26 Champions League Round of 16 in New Zealand

New Zealand flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In New Zealand, DAZN is home to the Champions League.

The service costs NZ$14.99 per month if you sign up for an annual deal, or you can choose the flexible monthly option for NZ$29.99 every 30 days.

Kiwi traveling or living abroad? Access your usual subscription with a market-leading VPN like NordVPN.

Can I watch Champions League games on my mobile?

Absolutely. Many of the broadcasters listed above and beyond have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.

You can also stay up-to-date with all 2025/26 Champions League Round of 16 key moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@ChampionsLeague), Instagram (@ChampionsLeague), TikTok (@ChampionsLeague) and UEFA's YouTube (@UEFA).

What are the Champions League Round of 16 second leg dates and times?

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 SECOND LEG TIES

Tuesday, March 17
1.45 p.m. — Sporting Lisbon vs Bodo/Glimt
4 p.m. — Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
4 p.m. — Chelsea vs PSG
4 p.m. — Man City vs Real Madrid

Wednesday, March 18
1.45 p.m. — Barcelona vs Newcastle
4 p.m. — Bayern Munich vs Atalanta
4 p.m. — Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid
4 p.m. — Liverpool vs Galatasaray

(All times ET)

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Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Aatif Sulleyman

Aatif is a freelance journalist and copywriter based in the UK. He’s written about technology, sport and politics for a wide range of publications including TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?, The Independent, Trusted Reviews, and Newsweek. These days, he focuses mainly on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: live TV and penny-pinching. When he's not attending a top-flight English soccer match, you can find him perfecting his table tennis skills.

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