Newcastle booked their place in the Champions League round of 16 by beating Qarabag over two legs in the play-off. After finishing 12th in the league phase following a heroic 1-1 draw against PSG, Newcastle did not qualify automatically and were forced into the extra round to secure a spot in the knockout stage proper.
The Magpies were paired with Azerbaijani champions Qarabag in the play-off draw. Having secured a dominant 6-1 victory in the first leg, Eddie Howe’s side backed it up with a 3-2 victory at St James’ Park.
The official Champions League round of 16 draw is scheduled for Friday, February 27, 2026. Taking place in Nyon, Switzerland, the ceremony will determine the specific last-16 matchups for the play-off winners and the top eight automatic qualifiers who have been waiting in the hat.
Due to the ‘tennis-style’ bracket system, Newcastle already knew their potential opponents. After finishing off Qarabag, they are scheduled to face either Spanish giants Barcelona or Premier League rivals Chelsea. These teams finished fifth and sixth respectively, placing them in the same section of the knockout bracket.
In the round of 16, the teams that finished in the top eight of the league phase are seeded. This means Newcastle, coming through the play-offs, are unseeded and must play the first leg of their last-16 tie at St James’ Park.
A key UEFA rule change means the seeded teams (like Barcelona or Chelsea) are guaranteed the second leg at home. Newcastle will have to travel away for the decisive return match, making their home performance in the first leg crucial for their hopes of advancing.
Unlike previous years’ group stages, there is no ‘same-country’ protection in the knockout phase. This explains why an all-English last-16 clash against Chelsea is a distinct possibility, adding a familiar intensity to Newcastle’s European journey.
The Champions League round of 16 fixtures are set to take place in mid-March. The first legs are scheduled for March 10/11, with the second legs following on March 17/18, 2026, as the competition narrows down to the final eight teams.