2026/27 Europa League: Teams, dates, draws, format, final

The 2026/27 campaign is the 56th edition of this European club competition, and the 18th since its name change from the UEFA Cup to the UEFA Europa League.

The third season under the new format kicked off on 9 July 2026 and runs until the final in Frankfurt on 26 May 2027.

Please note that dates are subject to change.

Which teams are in the league phase of the 2026/27 Europa League?

Armenia: Ararat-Armenia
Austria: Salzburg, Sturm Graz
Belgium: Anderlecht, Union SG
Bulgaria: Levski Sofia
Croatia: GNK Dinamo
Cyprus: Omonia
Czechia: Sparta Praha, Viktoria Plzeň
England: Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Sunderland
France: Lyon, Marseille, Rennes
Germany: Hoffenheim, Leverkusen
Greece: OFI Crete, Olympiacos
Hungary: Ferencváros
Israel: H. Beer-Sheva
Italy: Milan, Juventus
Netherlands: AZ Alkmaar, N.E.C.
Norway: Lillestrøm
Poland: Jagiellonia, Lech Poznań
Portugal: Benfica, Torreense
Scotland: Celtic
Slovenia: Celje
Spain: Real Sociedad, Celta
Türkiye: Beşiktaş

The list above is provisional, based purely on sporting performance and does not account for any potential disciplinary or licensing matters. Therefore, the above is still pending final admittance of clubs to the relevant competitions. All Russian teams are suspended from participation in UEFA competitions until further notice.

When are the league phase matches in the 2026/27 Europa League?

Matchday 1: 16/17 September 2026
Matchday 2: 15 October 2026
Matchday 3: 22 October 2026
Matchday 4: 5 November 2026
Matchday 5: 26 November 2026
Matchday 6: 10 December 2026
Matchday 7: 21 January 2027
Matchday 8: 28 January 2027

When are the 2026/27 Europa League knockout phase matches?

Knockout phase play-offs: 18 & 25 February 2027
Round of 16: 11 & 18 March 2027
Quarter-finals: 8 & 15 April 2027
Semi-finals: 29 April & 6 May 2027
Final (Frankfurt): 26 May 2027

When and where is the Europa League final in 2027?

The 2026/27 Europa League final will be staged at Stadion Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany, on 26 May 2027. Originally opened in 1925, the arena has been upgraded several times, and recently hosted five games at UEFA EURO 2024, along with matches at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2006 FIFA World Cup.

What do the 2026/27 Europa League winners get?

The UEFA Europa League trophy is, at 15kg, the heaviest piece of UEFA silverware.

The 2026/27 winners also gain a place in the league phase of the 2027/28 UEFA Champions League, if they have not qualified via their domestic competition, and the opportunity to play against the winners of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League in the 2027 UEFA Super Cup.

How did 2026/27 Europa League qualifying work?

Twelve teams qualified directly for the league phase of the Europa League, with one slot also reserved for the UEFA Conference League title holders. A further 12 sides secured their places through qualifying, culminating in August's play-off round. The 36-team line-up was completed by 11 losing teams transferring from the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round and play-offs.

The stage at which teams entered qualifying was based on their association club coefficient rankings. All ties were played over two legs.