The UEFA Europa League 2025/26 season is almost here, and fans across Europe are buzzing with excitement. If you love soccer (or football, as most of the world calls it), this tournament is always one to watch. It features famous clubs, unexpected underdogs, and plenty of drama.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know: which teams are already in, how the draw works, the key dates for the season, the big changes to the format, and even some fun soccer facts to impress your friends.
The UEFA Europa League Draw: When and Where
One of the first big events is the League Phase draw. This is when all the qualified teams learn who they’ll face.
Date & Time: August 29th, 2025 at 13:00 CET
Location: Monaco
How to Watch: You can stream it live on UEFA.com
Here’s something new: unlike the old-fashioned “one ball at a time” method, this year’s draw will be completely computer-generated. Once it’s done, all 36 teams’ schedules are revealed at the same time.
Each team will play against two clubs from each of the four pots (one home, one away). Clubs can’t play against teams from their own country, and no more than two teams from the same league can be drawn against the same opponent.
It’s almost like a giant puzzle, where UEFA tries to keep things fair but still exciting.
Who’s Already Qualified?
A total of 20 clubs have already secured their place in the UEFA Europa League. They come from all over Europe, and some of them are really famous. Here’s the alphabetical list:
Aston Villa (England)
Bologna (Italy)
Celta Vigo (Spain)
Celtic (Scotland)
Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)
Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
Feyenoord (Netherlands)
Freiburg (Germany)
Go Ahead Eagles (Netherlands)
Lille (France)
Nice (France)
Nottingham Forest (England)
Olympique Lyonnais (France)
Porto (Portugal)
Real Betis (Spain)
Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
Roma (Italy)
Sturm Graz (Austria)
Stuttgart (Germany)
Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic)
These 20 are already confirmed, but they won’t be alone. They’ll be joined by:
12 winners from the playoff qualifiers
4 losers from the Champions League third qualifying round
7 losers from the Champions League playoff round
That means the total will be 36 teams competing in the League Phase.
Key Dates You Need to Know
The UEFA Europa League is a season-long adventure, and here are the most important dates to mark on your calendar:
Draw for League Phase fixtures: August 29, 2025
First Matchday: September 24–25, 2025
Last Matchday: January 29, 2026
Knockout Playoff Draw: January 30, 2026
Knockout Playoffs: February 19 & 26, 2026
Round of 16 Draw: February 27, 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
The Big Final in Istanbul
The climax of the tournament will be the UEFA Europa League Final, which is set for:
Date: May 20th, 2026
Venue: Besiktas Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey
Capacity: About 42,590 fans
Fun fact: Besiktas Stadium (also called Vodafone Park) is one of the most modern arenas in Europe. It sits right on the Bosphorus, giving fans an amazing view of both the match and the city’s skyline.
The winner of the UEFA Europa League not only gets the trophy, but also a spot in the 2026/27 Champions League League Phase. That’s a huge prize!
UEFA Europa League Format: What Changed?
Starting in 2024/25, UEFA completely changed how the competition works. Gone is the old group stage system. Now it’s all about the League Phase.
Here’s how it works:
36 teams play in one big league table.
Each team plays eight matches (four home, four away).
The top 8 teams qualify straight into the Round of 16.
The bottom 8 teams are eliminated (no more dropping into the Conference League).
Teams ranked 9th–24th enter the knockout playoff round.
From there, the winners join the top 8 in the Round of 16.
The knockout stage (Round of 16, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and Final) then continues in the traditional style, just like the Champions League.
This new format means every match matters more. No easy “dead rubber” games at the end of the group stage—points are crucial from the very beginning.
Soccer Facts & Fun Notes
Did you know? Sevilla holds the record for the most UEFA Europa League titles, with 7 trophies (the latest in 2023).
The UEFA Europa League has often been a platform for underdogs to shine. Teams like Villarreal (winners in 2021) and Eintracht Frankfurt (winners in 2022) showed that smaller clubs can make history.
For many clubs, this tournament is the perfect chance to play against international opponents and gain valuable experience.
Some of today’s biggest stars, like Radamel Falcao, Antoine Griezmann, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, built their reputation in the UEFA Europa League.
The UEFA Europa League anthem is actually different from the Champions League one—but it’s just as iconic for fans who tune in every Thursday night.
Soccer News & Storylines to Watch
Aston Villa are back in European competition, trying to revive the glory days of the 1980s when they were Champions of Europe.
Roma, under manager Daniele De Rossi, will look to repeat the strong runs they’ve had in Europe in recent years.
Nottingham Forest return to Europe after decades away—they famously won the European Cup back-to-back in 1979 and 1980.
Celtic, the pride of Scotland, will aim to show they can still compete against Europe’s finest.
Porto, always a dangerous side, could become one of the favorites depending on their draw.
This mix of big names and hungry underdogs is exactly what makes the UEFA Europa League so entertaining.
Combo Takeaway
The UEFA Europa League 2025/26 season promises to be thrilling. From the draw in Monaco to the final in Istanbul, the competition will be filled with surprises, classic stadium atmospheres, and unforgettable matches.
Whether you support a giant like Roma or Porto, or an underdog like Go Ahead Eagles or Sturm Graz, this tournament is designed to deliver drama. And don’t forget—winning it not only means lifting a trophy but also stepping into the Champions League spotlight next season.
So grab your calendar, circle the key dates, and get ready for another unforgettable European soccer adventure.
