UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Round of 16: (March 17) Today's Football Matches and IST Kick-Off Times
As the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 reaches its decisive second-leg fixtures, Manchester City and Chelsea face daunting tasks to overturn three-goal deficits. We provide the full schedule, kick-off times for Indian viewers, and the current aggregate scores ahead of tonight’s high-stakes matches.
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League enters a critical phase tonight, 17 March, as four European heavyweights battle for a place in the quarter-finals. For the English representatives, Manchester City and Chelsea, the evening is one of survival as they attempt to mount historic comebacks against Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively. PL 2025-26: Arsenal Winger Max Dowman Becomes Youngest Premier League Goal Scorer.
While the matches take place on Tuesday night in Europe, Indian viewers will need to tune in during the early hours of Wednesday, 18 March, to catch the live action.
Match Schedule and IST Timings
All second-leg matches tonight are scheduled for a simultaneous kick-off. Following the standard UEFA broadcast window, games will begin at 01:30 AM IST on Wednesday morning.
| Match (2nd Leg) | Venue | 1st Leg Score | IST Kick-Off Time |
| Manchester City vs Real Madrid | Etihad Stadium | 0–3 | 01:30 AM (Mar 18) |
| Chelsea vs Paris Saint-Germain | Stamford Bridge | 2–5 | 01:30 AM (Mar 18) |
| Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen | Emirates Stadium | 1–1 | 01:30 AM (Mar 18) |
| Sporting CP vs Bodø/Glimt | Estádio José Alvalade | 0–3 | 11:15 PM |
The "New European Classic": City vs Real Madrid
In Manchester, Pep Guardiola’s side faces what he has described as a "massive task" to stay in the competition. Following a clinical 3-0 defeat at the Bernabéu last week—highlighted by a Federico Valverde hat-trick—City must win by at least three goals tonight just to force extra time.
Real Madrid arrives at the Etihad with a significant psychological boost, as superstars Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham have both been cleared to return to the matchday squad after recent injury layoffs. Real Madrid have won their last three matches across all competitions, while City are coming off a 1-1 domestic draw against West Ham. Arda Guler Equals Record for Longest Goal in La Liga History, Turkish Player Achieves Feat During Real Madrid vs Elche Match.
Chelsea’s Mountain to Climb
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will attempt to overturn a 5-2 deficit against the defending champions, Paris Saint-Germain. Despite being competitive for much of the first leg, a late collapse in Paris saw the Blues concede three goals in the final quarter of the match.
The London club will look to replicate their 2025 form, where they famously defeated PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup final. However, stopping a PSG attack that appears to be hitting peak form will require a near-perfect defensive display.
Tension at the Emirates
Unlike their Premier League counterparts, Arsenal enters tonight on level terms. Following a 1-1 draw in Germany against Bayer Leverkusen, Mikel Arteta’s side holds the home advantage. Leverkusen, under Xabi Alonso, remains undefeated in their last five matches but will face a hostile atmosphere at the Emirates as the Gunners seek their first quarter-final appearance in several seasons.
UEFA Champions League Live Streaming and Telecast in India
Fans in India can watch the live telecast of the UEFA Champions League on the Sony Sports Network.
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TV Channels: Sony Sports Ten 2 (English), Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi), and Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil/Telugu).
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Live Streaming: The matches will be available for digital streaming on the SonyLIV app and website.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 17, 2026 11:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).