Which teams are in the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League? Confirmed clubs, league phase stage, tournament rules and format
The 2025–26 UEFA Europa League returns with its fresh new format for a second year, ditching the old group stage for a single 36-team league table. The “Swiss system” setup means fans can expect more high-stakes matches, more variety in opponents, and a better shot at seeing top clubs square off even before the knockout rounds begin.
Thirteen clubs secured direct qualification to the league phase this season, including domestic cup winners and fifth-place finishers from Europe’s top-ranked leagues. Another 12 teams will join them via the play-off round, and 11 more will drop in from the Champions League qualifying path. That brings the total to 36 teams in a stacked league phase kicking off on September 24, 2025.
Before that, the competition's qualifying campaign will kick off in mid-July, and the league-phase draw will be held on August 29, setting up some enticing matchups. The road to silverware ends in Istanbul, where Beşiktaş Stadium will host the Europa League final on May 20, 2026.
Teams in Europa League league phase 2025/26
Thirteen clubs earned direct passage to the league phase of this year’s Europa League. That includes:
- The 2024–25 UEFA Europa Conference League winners
- Domestic cup champions from UEFA’s top seven ranked associations (like the FA Cup in England or Coppa Italia in Italy)
- Fifth-placed finishers from the top five leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1)
- These 13 teams will be joined by:
- 12 play-off round winners (decided by August 28, 2025)
- 11 clubs eliminated during various Champions League qualifying rounds
Together, they’ll form the full 36-team field for the newly formatted league phase.
- Crystal Palace (England)
- Freiburg (Germany)
- Real Betis (Spain)
- Lille (France)
- Bologna (Italy)
- Porto (Portugal)
- Go Ahead Eagles (the Netherlands)
- Lyon (France)
- AS Roma (Italy)
- Aston Villa (England)
- Celta Vigo (Spain)
- Stuttgart (Germany)
2025/26 Europa League teams by nation
The countries with confirmed direct entrants (as of now) include:
- England (2): FA Cup winner + Premier League 5th place
- Spain (2): Copa del Rey winner + La Liga 5th place
- Germany (2): DFB-Pokal winner + Bundesliga 5th place
- Italy (2): Coppa Italia winner + Serie A 5th place
- France (2): Coupe de France winner + Ligue 1 5th place
- Netherlands (1): KNVB Cup winner
- Portugal (1): Taça de Portugal winner
- 1 additional spot: Reserved for the Conference League title holders
With qualifying still underway, clubs from smaller associations and UCL elimination paths will also claim their places, eventually filling out the 36-team table featuring representatives from across Europe.
When does the Europa League league phase start?
The 2025–26 Europa League league phase officially kicks off on September 24, 2025. In this new format, each team plays eight different opponents, instead of the traditional home-and-away group stage. The top-performing teams across the single league table will advance to the knockout rounds starting in early 2026.
When are the Europa League draws in 2025/26
UEFA mapped out several key dates for the competition’s draw schedule:
- First qualifying-round draw: June 17, 2025
- Second qualifying-round draw: June 18, 2025
- Third qualifying-round draw: July 21, 2025
- Play-off round draw: August 4, 2025
- League phase draw: August 29, 2025 – held in Monaco
Knockout round draw dates—including for the Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals—will be confirmed by UEFA in early 2026 as the competition progresses.
Where is the Europa League final 2026?
The 2026 UEFA Europa League Final is set to take place at Beşiktaş Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 20, 2026. Known for its sleek design and passionate home fans, the stadium sits along the Bosphorus and promises a memorable backdrop for one of European football’s biggest nights.
