Ready, Set, Goal: UEFA Europa League 2025-26 Season Begins

UEFA Europa League 2025–26 is gearing up to deliver a season packed with fresh faces and electrifying form. The Europa League, formerly known as the UEFA Cup, has been a signature dose of drama in football since its launch in 1971. As new players burst onto the scene and legendary clubs chase glory, fans can expect unforgettable moments. The UEFA Europa League roars back to life with the 2025–26 season, promising fresh talent, thrilling rivalries, and memorable drama. It’s grand finale will ignite Istanbul’s Beşiktaş Stadium on May 20, 2026, where Europe’s finest will battle for glory. The energy is already building as the summer qualifiers kick off in July 2025, setting the tone for what’s to come. The Europa League, rebranded in 2009, is Europe’s second-tier club competition where underdogs thrive and legacies are forged. It’s a vital gateway—offering global exposure, growth opportunities, and a shot at Champions League glory. This season’s format is more dynamic than ever, with expanded group stages and sharper stakes. Giants from England, Germany, Spain, and Italy will clash with emerging contenders and returning legends. It’s more than football for Europa League fans—a cinematic journey powered by pure passion.

Storm into the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season erupts with fierce ambition, sizzling rivalries, and pure football drama. Legends chase redemption, rising stars shine—this season is likely to reshape European football. Familiar giants like Liverpool, Roma, Bayer Leverkusen, and Villarreal return to the spotlight, bringing experience and pedigree to the pitch. Bold challengers like Real Sociedad, Union Berlin, and Fiorentina are entering the fray with sharp tactics and experienced leadership. Their fearless rising stars are primed to shake up the tournament and capture the spotlight. Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Kudus, and Paulo Dybala are already capturing attention with their flair and match-winning capabilities. Meanwhile, rising star Benjamin Šeško looks poised to deliver breakout performances that could shift the tournament’s momentum. The newly revamped format delivers high-stakes group-stage clashes and nail-biting knockouts, intensifying every moment on the road to glory. As teams push toward the final in Istanbul, it’s a test of resilience, skill, and legacy in the making. The stakes are sky-high—not just for the trophy, but for a ticket to the UEFA Champions League. While Europe’s top clubs command the spotlight, underdogs like Slavia Prague and Lugano are quietly preparing to defy expectations. They’re ready to rattle the tournament’s hierarchy with hunger, grit, and clever tactics. These teams bring a fearless mix of grit, youthful energy, and bold tactics to the pitch. They’re self-confident enough to flip expectations and craft stunning upsets in a tournament built for surprises. Dive into the world of sports with the latest updates and fresh news.

The UEFA Europa League 2025–26 marks its 55th edition and 17th under its current name. And this time, it comes with high-octane changes that promise more drama and unpredictability than ever. The revamped format welcomes 36 teams into a dynamic league phase, replacing the old group system with a single standings table. Each club faces eight different opponents, heightening the intensity and unpredictability of the race toward the knockout rounds. Adding a twist to the narrative: Tottenham Hotspur, the reigning champions, won’t defend their title. Cheers to their Europa League triumph; they earned direct entry into the Champions’ League group phase. Under the new rules, clubs eliminated from the Champions League no longer shift into the Europa League. This change heightens exclusivity and ramps up the intensity, making the competition more fiercely contested. From fiery group showdowns to knockout thrillers, every match tests tactical sharpness and mental grit. A revamped league-phase format replaces traditional groups with a single standings table, meaning each club faces eight opponents. That opens the door for shock results, epic comebacks, and fresh rivalries at every turn. For teams, it’s a demanding marathon requiring deep squads and smart rotation. For fans? It’s a dream—more variety, drama, and nail-biting fixtures that genuinely matter. Every chapter will be written in sweat, skill, and emotion from the first whistle in July to the final in Istanbul. This isn’t just football—it’s a continent-wide epic unfolding in real time.

When are the UEFA Europa League 2025-26 qualifiers?

First qualifying round: 10 & 17 July 2025

Second qualifying round: 24 & 31 July 2025

Third qualifying round: 7 & 14 August 2025

Play-offs: 21 & 28 August 2025

Knockout phase 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

Final: 20 May 2026 (Istanbul)

Where can I watch the UEFA Europa League 2025-26 season?

In the UK, TNT Sports holds exclusive broadcasting rights for the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season. You can watch every match live—including the final—on TNT Sports channels or stream them via Discovery+.

Watch the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season live on Paramount+ for English coverage, or stream in Spanish via ViX in the USA. FuboTV also offers select matches with CBS Sports and TUDN—every kick is just a stream away.

In Australia, the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season will be streamed exclusively on Stan Sport. Every match—from the league phase to the final—will be available live and on-demand, completely ad-free.

You can watch the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season live on Sony Sports Network and stream it online via SonyLIV in India.

Catch the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season live in South Africa on SuperSport through DStv. You can stream every match on DStv Stream or the SuperSport app for non-stop tournament coverage. Every goal, tackle, and twist of the tournament is yours to follow—no excuses, no missing out.

In Japan, the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season will be available on WOWOW, with exclusive rights to select matches.

Italian fans can watch the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season live exclusively on Sky Italia, the official broadcaster. Every match on Sky Go or Now TV offers full access without compromise.

The UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season will be broadcast live in Germany on RTL, the official broadcaster for select matches. RTL+ provides on-demand access to fixtures, highlights, and expert analysis across all major devices for streaming.

French viewers can watch the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season live on Canal+, M6, and RMC Sport. These networks offer match coverage, highlights, and expert analysis throughout the tournament.

Spanish football fans can watch the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season live on Movistar+, the official broadcaster. Movistar+ streams every match in Spain, with full coverage on Movistar Liga de Campeones.

You can stream the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season exclusively on DAZN in New Zealand.

The UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season in China is exclusively on iQIYI, the official rights holder. Every match is streamed live and on demand—no distractions, just football.

What is the format of the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season?

The UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season adopts the Swiss model format introduced in the previous campaign. Instead of the traditional group stage, 36 teams will compete in a single league phase. Each club plays eight matches against eight opponents, with four at home and four away, and no return fixtures. The top eight teams qualify directly for the Round of 16. Teams ranked ninth to twenty-fourth enter a knockout play-off round to determine the remaining spots in the Round of 16. Those finishing twenty-fifth to thirty-sixth are eliminated, with no drop to the Conference League. This structure raises the stakes for every match. The Swiss format demands tactical adaptability, offers no safety nets, and brings more varied, unpredictable matchups than ever before. The Europa League now features 36 teams facing eight unique opponents, replacing fixed groups and eliminating third-place drop-downs. Every match carries full weight with no second chances.

Third qualifying round

The UEFA Europa League 2025–26 third qualifying round features 26 teams, seeded by UEFA club coefficients. UEFA may split teams into seeded groups, with the first drawn hosting the opening leg. The Champions Path includes teams like Rijeka and Pafos, plus 10 Champions League second-round losers. The Main Path features clubs such as Braga, PAOK, Midtjylland, Anderlecht, Lugano, and winners from the second qualifying round. It also includes teams like Panathinaikos, Servette, Wolfsberg, Fredrikstad, and Brann.

Seeding

In the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 play-off round, 24 teams will compete, seeded based on their UEFA coefficients. UEFA may separate seeded and unseeded sides before the draw, and the first team drawn will host the first leg. Confirmed unseeded teams for the play-off round include PAOK, Young Boys, Genk, Aberdeen, Sigma Olomouc, and Samsunspor. Additional spots will be filled by third qualifying round winners and clubs eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers.

What is the schedule for the UEFA Europa League 2025–26 season?

Phase	Round	Draw Date	First leg	Second leg
Qualifying	First qualifying round	17 June 2025	10 July 2025	17 July 2025
Qualifying	Second qualifying round	18 June 2025	24 July 2025	31 July 2025
Qualifying	Third qualifying round	21 July 2025	7 August 2025	14 August 2025
Play-offs	Play-off round	4 August 2025	21 August 2025	28 August 2025
League phase	Matchday 1	29 August 2025	24–25 September 2025	24–25 September 2025
League phase	Matchday 2	29 August 2025	2 October 2025	2 October 2025
League phase	Matchday 3	29 August 2025	23 October 2025	23 October 2025
League phase	Matchday 4	29 August 2025	6 November 2025	6 November 2025
League phase	Matchday 5	29 August 2025	27 November 2025	27 November 2025
League phase	Matchday 6	29 August 2025	11 December 2025	11 December 2025
League phase	Matchday 7	29 August 2025	22 January 2026	22 January 2026
League phase	Matchday 8	29 August 2025	29 January 2026	29 January 2026
Knockout phase	Knockout round play-offs	30 January 2026	19 February 2026	26 February 2026
Knockout phase	Round of 16	27 February 2026	12 March 2026	19 March 2026
Knockout phase	Quarter-finals	27 February 2026	9 April 2026	16 April 2026
Knockout phase	Semi-finals	27 February 2026	30 April 2026	7 May 2026
Knockout phase	Final	27 February 2026	20 May 2026	–

Prediction

Sabah vs Celje

Sabah will face Celje on July 10, 2025, at Bank Respublika Arena in Azerbaijan. These two teams are meeting for the first qualifying round, leg 1 of 2, in the UEFA Europa League 2025-26 season.

Flowing From

• Sabah-5th position in the Azerbaijan Premier League
• Celje-3rd position in 1. SNL

Previous Game

Sabah FK had a steady 2024–25 Azerbaijan Premier League campaign, finishing fifth with 48 points from 36 matches. They secured 10 wins, 18 draws, and eight losses, scoring 50 goals while conceding 46. Their home form was strong, with six wins, 10 draws, and just two losses. Away, they managed four wins, eight draws, and six defeats. The most frequent away result was a 1–1 draw, which occurred six times.

Celje finished the 2024–25 Slovenian PrvaLiga with 11 wins, 18 draws, and seven losses, scoring 50 goals. Unbeaten in their last six games and scoring in seven straights, they head into European qualifiers with solid form. Celje will have a better chance of winning in their upcoming matches based on their performances.

Sheriff vs Prishtina

On July 10, 2025, Sheriff will encounter Prishtina at Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena, Tiraspol. For leg 1 of 2, the first qualifying round in the UEFA Europa League 2025-26 run-in.

Flowing From

• Sheriff—1st position in the Moldovan National Division
• Prishtina—6th position in the Football Super League of Kosovo

Previous Game

Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova’s most decorated club with 20 league titles, finished second in 2024–25 but returned strong. Their tactical discipline and squad depth keep them dominant domestically and competitive in European tournaments. Several of those triumphs were “golden doubles,” where they also claimed the Moldova Cup in the same season. This rich history adds a layer of excitement and anticipation to their upcoming match.

Prishtina closed the 2024–25 Football Superleague of Kosovo season with purpose, posting 42 goals and conceding just 36. Their 11 wins, 15 draws, and 10 losses reflect resilience and room for growth. Hence, the Sheriff will doubtlessly hold on to a triumph in their forthcoming series.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Llves

At Stozice Stadium, Slovenia, Shakhtar come to blows with Llves on July 10, 2025, for the first leg of the first qualifying round in the UEFA Europa League 2025-26 season.

Flowing From

• Shakhtar Donetsk—14th position in the Ukrainian Premier League
• Llves in the 3rd position in the Veikkausliiga

Previous Game

Shakhtar Donetsk finished 3rd in the 2025 Ukrainian Premier League with 18 wins and 12 clean sheets. They impressed at home and consistently struck first in 77% of their matches. Shakhtar Donetsk were formidable at home, securing 10 wins, three draws, and just two losses. They added eight victories, five draws, and only two defeats on the road to round out a balanced campaign.

Ilves Tampere is enjoying a standout 2025 Veikkausliiga season. With both tactical discipline and offensive flair, Ilves are emerging as serious contenders for European qualification. Based on their performances, Llves will follow up with the same tactical moves to earn their upcoming matches over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Legia Warszawa vs FC Aktobe

Leiga Warszawa will face FC Aktobe on July 10, 2025, at Estadi de I’Exercit Polones, Warsaw, Poland. They are gathering for leg 1 of 2 of the first qualifying round in the Europa League 2025-26 moment of truth.

Flowing From

• Legia Warszawa—9th position in the Ekstraklasa
• FC Aktobe—3rd position in the Kazakhstan Premier League

Previous Game

Legia Warszawa showcased attacking strength with 60 goals, spearheaded by Marc Gual and Bartosz Kapustka, who each netted 9 times. Their European campaign featured standout moments, including a victory over Chelsea. Legia struggled away, splitting six wins and six losses, and fell short against top rivals Lech Poznań and Raków.

FC Aktobe sits third in the 2025 Kazakhstan Premier League with nine wins from 15 matches and a strong home form. After setbacks against Astana and Kairat, they bounced back with wins over Turan and Atyrau. Historically, they’ve won five league titles, most recently in 2013, plus Kazakhstan Cups in 2008 and 2024. This time, FC Aktobe will secure success in their anticipation series.