Qualification for the 2025/26 league phase of the UEFA Europa League is now complete, and the countdown to the final in Istanbul in May can now officially begin.
On Friday, 29 August, the draw for the league phase took place, and all 36 teams now know who they are playing and when during the first stage of the competition.
For all the key information about the Europa League draw and upcoming rounds, check out our guide below.
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Europa League league phase draw: UK teams
Aston Villa
- Red Bull Salzburg (home)
- Feyenoord (away)
- Maccabi Tel Aviv (home)
- Fenerbahce (away)
- Young Boys (home)
- Basel (away)
- Bologna (home)
- Go Ahead Eagles (away)
Nottingham Forest
- Porto (home)
- Real Betis (away)
- Ferencvaros (home)
- Braga (away)
- Midtjylland (home)
- Sturm Graz (away)
- Malmo (home)
- Utrecht (away)
Rangers
- Roma (home)
- Porto (away)
- Braga (home)
- Ferencvaros (away)
- Ludogorets (home)
- Sturm Graz (away)
- Genk (home)
- Brann (away)
Celtic
- Roma (home)
- Feyenoord (away)
- Braga (home)
- Red Star Belgrade (away)
- Sturm Graz (home)
- Midtjylland (away)
- Utrecht (home)
- Bologna (away)
How does the Europa League draw work?
The Europa League qualifying draws utilise a seeding system, where teams are divided into seeded and unseeded pots based on their UEFA Club coefficients. This system is designed to create a balanced competition by matching seeded teams against unseeded ones.
Once the matchups are announced, the new format requires teams to compete against each other in both home and away matches before reaching the playoff round. This results in a total of 24 teams, which join 12 teams that qualify directly from their respective domestic leagues or cup competitions. Overall, this makes up a 36-team table in the new Europa League format, introduced in the 2024/25 season.
Europa League play-off round draw ✅#UELdraw pic.twitter.com/y1Yrk4HZrK
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) August 4, 2025
Can teams from the same country play each other in the Europa League league phase?
No, teams from the same country cannot face each other in the league phase of the Europa League.
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How can I watch the Europa League draw?
The UEFA Europa League playoff draw is streamed live on UEFA's official website and app. Fans in the UK can also watch the draw live on TNT Sports.
When does UEL league phase start?
The 2025/26 Europa League league phase will begin on Wednesday, 24 September.
Where is the Europa League final being played this year?
The 2025/26 Europa League Final will be held on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at the Tupras Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, the home ground of Besiktas.