UEFA Europa League 2025/26: Key dates, match schedule & final
In 2025/26, Europe's second-best competition returns for its 55th edition and its 17th since being rebranded from the UEFA Cup to the Europa League, with the final scheduled for May 20, 2026.
UEFA has released the complete fixture schedule for the 2025/26 Europa League season, from the opening qualifying round to the title showpiece.
Here's a look at all the key dates for the upcoming season of Europe's second-most prestigious club competition, along with details on how to watch the matches live.
How to watch the 2025/26 Europa League season?
All games in Europe's second-tier competition in the 2025/26 season will be available to watch online via Europa League live streams.
When do Europa League qualifying fixtures start?
A total of 53 teams will participate in Europa League qualifying, which consists of several rounds and a final play-off stage.
Twelve teams will advance from the play-off round to the league phase, joining 13 clubs that enter directly into the main draw.
Seven teams dropping out of the UEFA Champions League play-offs will also enter the competition – five from the Champions Path and two from the League Path.
Four more teams will arrive from the Champions League third qualifying round, all from the League Path.
When is the Europa League group stage draw?
The 2025/26 UEFA Europa League group stage draw will take place on August 29, the day after the conclusion of the play-offs.
When does the Europa League's league phase start?
The 2025/26 Europa League group/league stage begins in late September, with the opening-day matches set for September 24 & 25.
Pot 1 currently features five teams, including Roma, Porto, Dinamo Zagreb, Lille and Real Betis, with debutants Aston Villa seeded in Pot 2.
Led by four-time Europa League winner Unai Emery, Villa are among the hottest candidates to lift the trophy despite lacking experience in the tournament.
Bologna, Nottingham Forest and Go Ahead Eagles are the three remaining sides that will make their maiden Europa League appearances and will all be part of Pot 4.
Last season's winners, Tottenham Hotspur, earned automatic Champions League qualification while beaten finalists, Manchester United, failed to qualify for European competitions.
When does the knockout stage of the Europa League start?
Similar to last season, the newly formatted knockout phase begins with a play-off round, which takes place in late February.
It runs from February 19-26 before the 32 remaining teams trade tackles in the round of 16 on March 12 and 19.
Teams will play the quarter-final first legs on April 9, followed by the return fixtures on April 16.
The semi-finals kick off on April 30, with the second-leg clashes scheduled for May 7, 2026.
When and where is the Europa League final in 2026?
The 2025/26 Europa League showpiece, scheduled to take place at Besiktas Park in Istanbul on May 20, will be the first final held at the home of one of the best Turkish Super Lig clubs.
Despite never hosting a major European final, the venue staged the 2019 UEFA Super Cup showdown between Liverpool and Chelsea, with the Reds winning the tie on penalties.
Hoisting the trophy warrants a place in next season's Champions League if the winners have not qualified via their domestic competition.
2025/26 Europa League Schedule – In Summary
Europa League Qualifying Fixtures
First qualifying round: July 10 & 17, 2025
Second qualifying round: July 24 & 31, 2025
Third qualifying round: August 7 & 14, 2025
Play-offs: August 21 & 28, 2025
Europa League Opening Phase
Matchday 1: September 24 & 25, 2025
Matchday 2: October 2, 2025
Matchday 3: October 23, 2025
Matchday 4: November 6, 2025
Matchday 5: November 27, 2025
Matchday 6: December 11, 2025
Matchday 7: January 22, 2026
Matchday 8: January 29, 2026
Knockout Stage
Knockout phase play-offs: February 19 & 26, 2026
Round of 16: March 12 & 19, 2026
Quarter-finals: April 9 & 16, 2026
Semi-finals: April 30 & May 7, 2026
Final: May 20, 2026 (Istanbul)
Europa League Draws
First qualifying round: June 17, 2025
Second qualifying round: June 18, 2025
Third qualifying round: July 21, 2025
Play-offs: August 4, 2025
League phase: August 29, 2025
Knockout phase play-offs: January 30, 2026
Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final: February 27, 2026
Europa League Final Venue: Besiktas Park in Istanbul, Turkey.
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