What is the Champions League semi-final draw? Line-up already in place as Arsenal target last four

Apr 15, 2026 - 09:00
What is the Champions League semi-final draw? Line-up already in place as Arsenal target last four

The Champions League quarter-finals will be decided this week, and teams already know who they could face in the semi-finals.

February’s last 16 draw plotted every club’s route to the final across the remainder of the tournament.

the UEFA Champions League Cup ahead of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final draw
The Champions League quarter-final draw has already been held
AFP

As a result, the sides that came through last month’s round of 16 ties already knew their next opponents.

It is the same story for this week’s quarter-finalists, who have had their potential semi-final ties narrowed down to two possible opponents should they emerge victorious.

The draw for the last 16 was held on February 27, with the quarter-final and semi-final ties also decided.

With the knockout stage bracket already split in half, it was also determined which club will be the designated home team for the final.

The quarter-final ties conclude over the coming days following the first legs last week.

What is the Champions League semi-final draw?

As mentioned, while the Champions League quarter-finals are yet to finish, the semi-finals have already been decided.

The last eight second legs take place this week, with Arsenal hosting Sporting Lisbon, holding a 1-0 aggregate lead.

Real Madrid travel to Bayern Munich with the German giants leading 2-1 from the first leg.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are out after losing 3-2 to Spanish rival Atletico Madrid on aggregate.

Liverpool have also exited, being beating by holders Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 over their two legs.

Ivan Rakitic picks a draw ball during the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final drawIvan Rakitic picks a draw ball during the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final draw
This season’s last quarter-final and semi-final ties were determined in February’s draw
AFP

Champions League draws

Quarter-finals

Tuesday, April 14

  • Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona, 20:00 (Agg 3-2)
  • Liverpool 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain, 20:00 (Agg 0-4)

Wednesday, April 15

  • Arsenal v Sporting, 20:00 (Agg 1-0)
  • Bayern Munich v Real Madrid, 20:00 (Agg 2-1)

Semi-finals

  • PSG vs Real Madrid/Bayern
  • Atletico Madrid vs Sporting/Arsenal

The winners of each tie will immediately know their next opponent, thanks to February’s last 16 draw.

PSG will now face Real or Bayern while Atletico will take on Sporting or Arsenal.

Ties will be played across April and May to determine the two finalists.

The first legs of the last four will take place on Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29.

Meanwhile, the second legs are scheduled for Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6.

Those matches will be followed by the final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30.

You can follow line updates for this week’s upcoming quarter-finals on talkSPORT while their dedicated commentary from Arsenal with Adrian Durham, Jim Proudoot and former England striker Darren Bent.

Tune in to talkSPORT through the website via the live stream or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Download and listen to all our live commentaries via the talkSPORT app.

Visit talkSPORT BET for all the latest odds and bet boosts for every big event.

Subscribe to our talkSPORT YouTube channel for news, views and analysis plus our regular goals show and for more, follow us on talkSPORT Facebook and talkSPORT X.

A general view inside the Puskas Arena
This season’s Champions League final will be held at Budapest’s Puskas Arena
Getty

Champions League Round of 16 results

Tuesday, March 17

  • Sporting 5-0 Bodo/Glimt (Agg 5-3)
  • Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (Agg 3-1)
  • Chelsea 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain (Agg 2-8)
  • Manchester City 1-2 Real Madrid (Agg 1-5)

Wednesday, March 18

  • Barcelona 7-2 Newcastle United (Agg 8-3)
  • Bayern Munich 4-1 Atalanta (Agg 10-2)
  • Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (Agg 4-1)
  • Tottenham 3-2 Atletico Madrid (Agg 5-7)

What happened in the round of 16?

The last 16 proved to be a tough round for the Premier League sides with four of the six teams involved crashing out early.

Chelsea suffered a heavy 8-2 aggregate defeat to PSG, to set up their quarter-final clash with Liverpool.

The Reds booked their spot in the last eight by bouncing back from a 1-0 first leg defeat at Galatasaray with a thumping 4-0 win in the return leg.

Meanwhile, Manchester City also exited early, being beaten 5-1 by Real.

Los Blancos now face Bayern, who brushed aside Atalanta in their last 16 tie, smashing the Serie A side 10-2 over two legs.

In the opposite side of the draw, Newcastle and Barcelona drew 1-1 at St. James’ Park but the Spanish side blew Eddie Howe and co away in the return leg, winning 7-2.

Atletico Madrid await Barca this week, with Diego Simeone’s side beating Tottenham 7-5 on aggregate in the last 16.

As for Arsenal, they head into their Sporting tie after beating Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 on aggregate in the last round.

Meanwhile, Sporting pulled off a spectacular comeback against Bodo/Glimt, who led 3-0 after the first leg, only for the Portuguese champions to fight back to claim a 5-0 aggregate victory.

What's Your Reaction?

Like Like 0
Dislike Dislike 0
Love Love 0
Funny Funny 0
Angry Angry 0
Sad Sad 0
Wow Wow 0