The excitement for the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League is building up as the qualifying rounds are in full swing. While the final lineup of teams is still being decided through intense playoff matches, many of Europe’s top clubs have already secured their spots. Here’s a simple guide to get you up to speed on the upcoming season.
⚽ Who’s In So Far?
Thirteen teams have already booked their place in the new “League Phase” of the tournament. The full list is: Aston Villa, Bologna, Celta Vigo, Dinamo Zagreb, Freiburg, Go Ahead Eagles, Lille, Nottingham Forest, Lyon, Porto, Real Betis, Roma, and Stuttgart. They will be joined by 23 other teams: 12 winners from the final playoff qualifying round and 11 clubs that move over from the Champions League qualifiers, making for a thrilling and unpredictable competition.
📖 Understanding the New Format
The Europa League no longer uses the old group stage format. Instead, it features a single 36-team “League Phase.” In this stage, each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents (four at home and four away). After all matches are played, the top eight teams in the overall league table advance directly to the Round of 16. Teams finishing from 9th to 24th place will enter a knockout playoff round to fight for the remaining eight spots, while the bottom 12 teams are eliminated.
🗓️ Mark Your Calendars
The action heats up in August with the final qualifying rounds. The main tournament draw, which sets the fixtures for the League Phase, will happen on August 29th. The first matches of the League Phase will kick off on September 24th and run until late January 2026. The knockout stages begin in February 2026, leading up to the final showdown in May.
🏆 The Grand Final in Istanbul
The 2025/26 Europa League final will be held on Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, at the Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. The winner will not only lift the prestigious trophy but also earn a guaranteed spot in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League season, making the final prize even more valuable.
