2025/26 UEFA Europa League Fixture Calendar: Full Guide to Draws, Fixtures & the Road to Istanbul (1 Viewer)

[Wonderboy]

The Europa League is back for the 2025/26 season, and it’s shaping up to be just as unpredictable and thrilling as ever. With UEFA’s new Swiss-style format firmly in place, fans can expect bigger match-ups, higher stakes, and a spectacular finale in Istanbul.

Here’s everything you need to know about this season’s competition, from the first qualifying draw to the trophy lift in Turkey.

Key Draw Dates​

• First qualifying round draw: 17 June 2025
• Second qualifying round draw: 18 June 2025
• Third qualifying round draw: 21 July 2025
• Play-off round draw: 4 August 2025
• League phase draw: Friday 29 August 2025 (Monaco)
• Knockout play-off draw: Friday 30 January 2026
• Round of 16 draw: Friday 27 February 2026

These dates lock in the path for Europe’s biggest clubs outside the Champions League.

Qualifying Rounds​

For many teams, the Europa League adventure begins long before September. Clubs will fight through:

• First Qualifying Round: 10 & 17 July 2025
• Second Qualifying Round: 24 & 31 July 2025
• Third Qualifying Round: 7 & 14 August 2025
• Play-off Round: 21 & 28 August 2025

These fixtures decide which teams make it into the newly expanded league phase.

League Phase: Swiss-Style Showdown​

The group stage is gone, replaced by a 36-team league table where every side plays eight games (two against each pot of seeded teams).

Matchday Calendar:​

• MD1: 24–25 September 2025
• MD2: 2 October 2025
• MD3: 23 October 2025
• MD4: 6 November 2025
• MD5: 27 November 2025
• MD6: 11 December 2025
• MD7: 22 January 2026
• MD8: 29 January 2026 (simultaneous kick-offs)

How it works:

• Top 8 teams → direct to Round of 16
• Teams 9–24 → knockout play-offs
• Teams 25–36 → eliminated

Every point counts, expect fireworks on Matchday 8 when all fixtures play at once!

Knockout Phase​

Once January ends, it’s straight into do-or-die football.

• Knockout play-offs: 19 & 26 February 2026
• Round of 16: 12 & 19 March 2026
• Quarter-finals: 9 & 16 April 2026
• Semi-finals: 30 April & 7 May 2026

By mid-May, we’ll know the two finalists heading to Istanbul.

The Grand Finale in Istanbul​

• Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026
• Venue: Beşiktaş Stadium (Vodafone Park), Istanbul, Turkey

The champions not only lift the iconic Europa League trophy but also earn a golden ticket: automatic entry into the 2026/27 Champions League league phase (if not already qualified domestically).

Why This Season Matters​

• Swiss system = more big clashes earlier.
• 36 teams instead of 32.
• A simultaneous final league-phase matchday for max drama.
• A final in one of Europe’s most passionate football cities—Istanbul.

Final Thoughts​

From July’s qualifiers to May’s final under the lights in Istanbul, the Europa League is set for another drama-filled campaign. Some of Europe’s biggest names will feature, but don’t rule out the dark horses, this competition has made legends out of underdogs before.

Who’s your pick to go all the way this season? Drop your predictions below

 

[tuse2]

glad to be part of the forum am here all the way to follow

 

[tuse2]

The Europa League is back for the 2025/26 season, and it’s shaping up to be just as unpredictable and thrilling as ever. With UEFA’s new Swiss-style format firmly in place, fans can expect bigger match-ups, higher stakes, and a spectacular finale in Istanbul.

Here’s everything you need to know about this season’s competition, from the first qualifying draw to the trophy lift in Turkey.

Key Draw Dates​

• First qualifying round draw: 17 June 2025
• Second qualifying round draw: 18 June 2025
• Third qualifying round draw: 21 July 2025
• Play-off round draw: 4 August 2025
• League phase draw: Friday 29 August 2025 (Monaco)
• Knockout play-off draw: Friday 30 January 2026
• Round of 16 draw: Friday 27 February 2026

These dates lock in the path for Europe’s biggest clubs outside the Champions League.

Qualifying Rounds​

For many teams, the Europa League adventure begins long before September. Clubs will fight through:

• First Qualifying Round: 10 & 17 July 2025
• Second Qualifying Round: 24 & 31 July 2025
• Third Qualifying Round: 7 & 14 August 2025
• Play-off Round: 21 & 28 August 2025

These fixtures decide which teams make it into the newly expanded league phase.

League Phase: Swiss-Style Showdown​

The group stage is gone, replaced by a 36-team league table where every side plays eight games (two against each pot of seeded teams).

Matchday Calendar:​

• MD1: 24–25 September 2025
• MD2: 2 October 2025
• MD3: 23 October 2025
• MD4: 6 November 2025
• MD5: 27 November 2025
• MD6: 11 December 2025
• MD7: 22 January 2026
• MD8: 29 January 2026 (simultaneous kick-offs)

How it works:

• Top 8 teams → direct to Round of 16
• Teams 9–24 → knockout play-offs
• Teams 25–36 → eliminated

Every point counts, expect fireworks on Matchday 8 when all fixtures play at once!

Knockout Phase​

Once January ends, it’s straight into do-or-die football.

• Knockout play-offs: 19 & 26 February 2026
• Round of 16: 12 & 19 March 2026
• Quarter-finals: 9 & 16 April 2026
• Semi-finals: 30 April & 7 May 2026

By mid-May, we’ll know the two finalists heading to Istanbul.

The Grand Finale in Istanbul​

• Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026
• Venue: Beşiktaş Stadium (Vodafone Park), Istanbul, Turkey

The champions not only lift the iconic Europa League trophy but also earn a golden ticket: automatic entry into the 2026/27 Champions League league phase (if not already qualified domestically).

Why This Season Matters​

• Swiss system = more big clashes earlier.
• 36 teams instead of 32.
• A simultaneous final league-phase matchday for max drama.
• A final in one of Europe’s most passionate football cities—Istanbul.

Final Thoughts​

From July’s qualifiers to May’s final under the lights in Istanbul, the Europa League is set for another drama-filled campaign. Some of Europe’s biggest names will feature, but don’t rule out the dark horses, this competition has made legends out of underdogs before.

Who’s your pick to go all the way this season? Drop your predictions below

glad to be part of this forum am here all the way to follow

 

[selahseilah]

glad to be part of the forum am here all the way to follow

me too

 

[Badguy]

Still too early to predict which team will lift the EUROPA league trophy at the end of the season. Let's wait till after the group stage, then we will know which teams are dropping from the Champions League