The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League is coming down the stretch, and we’ve reached one of the most exciting parts of the season: the knockout round. With Europe’s biggest clubs battling for football supremacy, you won’t want to miss a second of the action.
This post has everything you need — from the key matchups and full schedule to information on where you can watch every thrilling moment live in the U.S. Get ready to follow the iconic match ups, the upsets and the unforgettable goals as the race for the Champions League trophy kicks into gear!
For the answers to these burning questions and more, turn your attention to DIRECTV – your ultimate destination for all the on-field soccer action.
Where Can I Watch UEFA Champions League Tournament in the US?
Don’t miss a moment of the excitement as the UEFA Champions League turns to the tournament phases of the season. You can watch matches live from the United States in the following ways:
- Paramount+: All matches will be available to watch live on Paramount+
- CBS/CBS Sports: A selection of Champions League matches will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and CBS, providing coverage for viewers without Paramount+ access.
Find out how to sign up for Paramount+ and connect it to your DIRECTV account here.
Make sure you stay connected for unparalleled coverage of the Champions League action!
What are Champions League Dates?
The Champions League is heating up, and you definitely don’t want to miss it! The league’s tournament — essentially, the event’s playoffs — gets underway with the Knockout Rounds on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Here’s the full Champions League tournament schedule:
- Knockout Phase: Feb. 17-18 and 24-25, 2026
- Round of 16: Mar. 10-11 and 17-18, 2026
- Quarterfinals: Apr. 7-8 and 14-15, 2026
- Semifinals: Apr. 28-29 and May 5-6, 2026
- UEFA Champions League Final: May 30, 2026
Which Teams Made It Through the League Phase to the Tournament?
The conclusion of the League Phase means the Champions League field has narrowed from 32 teams to 24. The top eight seeded teams go straight through to the Round of 16, whereas the 9-24 clubs now compete in the Knockout Phase playoffs. The 9-16 clubs have the advantage of playing at home for the second leg of the Knockouts.
Here are the remaining Champions League teams competing in the 2026 tournament:
- Arsenal
- Bayern Munchen
- Liverpool
- Tottenham
- Barcelona
- Chelsea
- Sporting CP
- Man City
- Real Madrid
- Inter
- Paris
- Newcastle
- Juventus
- Atleti
- Atalanta
- Leverkusen
- B.Dortmund
- Olympiacos
- Club Brugge
- Galatasaray
- Monaco
- Qarabag
- Bodø/Glimt
- Benfica
UEFA Champions League Tournament Schedule
Knockout Leg 1 Schedule
| Date | Time | Matchup | Watch Information |
| Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 12:30 p.m. ET | Galatasaray vs. Juventus | UniMas, TUDN, Paramount+ |
| Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 3 p.m. ET | Real Madrid vs. Benfica | UniMas, TUDN, Paramount+ |
| Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 3 p.m. ET | Atalanta BC vs. Borussia Dortmund | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ |
| Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 3 p.m. ET | Paris Saint-Germain vs. Monaco | Paramount+ |
| Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 12:45 p.m. ET | Newcastle vs. FK Qarabag | UniMas, TUDN, Paramount+ |
| Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 3 p.m. ET | FK Bodø/Glimt vs. Internazionale | UniMas, TUDN, Paramount+ |
| Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 3 p.m. ET | Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ |
| Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 3 p.m. ET | Olympiacos vs. Bayer Leverkusen | Paramount+ |
Knockout Leg 2 Schedule
| Date | Time | Matchup | Watch Info |
| Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 12:45 p.m. ET | Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge | Paramount+ |
| Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 3 p.m. ET | Olympiacos vs. Bayer Leverkusen | Paramount+ |
| Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 3 p.m. ET | FK Bodø/Glimt vs. Internazionale | Paramount+, UniMas, TUDN |
| Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 3 p.m. ET | Newcastle vs. FK Qarabag | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 12:45 p.m. ET | Atalanta BC vs. Borussia Dortmund | Paramount+ |
| Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 3 p.m. ET | Galatasaray vs. Juventus | Paramount+ |
| Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 3 p.m. ET | Paris Saint-Germain vs. Monaco | Paramount+ |
| Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 3 p.m. ET | Real Madrid vs. Benfica | Paramount+ |
Round of 16 Schedule
The official Round of 16 schedule will be provided after it is finalized following the Round of 16 draw on Feb. 27, 2026.
Which Teams Did Not Qualify got the Tournament?
Thirty-two clubs qualified for the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 season. These are the 12 teams that did not make it out of the League Phase:
- Marseille
- Pafos
- Union SG
- PSV
- Ajax
- Athletic Club (Bilbao)
- Napoli
- Copenhagen
- Frankfurt
- Kairat Almaty
- Slavia Praha
- Villareal
How Money Much Does the Winner of the UEFA Champions League Get?
The maximum prize for the eventual champion of the UEFA Champions League is about $116 million.
Who Won the Last UEFA Champions League Season?
Paris Saint-Germain won the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, shutting out Inter Milan 5-0 in the final. It was their first UEFA Champions League title.
Watch More Soccer with DIRECTV
Experience the thrill of not only the Champions League but also the wildly popular English Premier League, brought to you through DIRECTV, the go-to destination for the most-watched soccer league in the world.
DIRECTV customers can catch all the Premier League excitement on NBC and USA Network. Stay updated on where to tune in for the matches here.
If you aren’t a DIRECTV customer, now’s the time to switch! With the top live sports coverage, you don’t have to miss a single goal, shootout or victory. Learn more today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Champions League in the United States?
You can watch Champions League in the U.S. on Paramount+, CBS Sports & CBS
How long is the UEFA Champions League season?
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season will run from September 2025 until May 2026.
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