The UEFA Europa League has adopted the same revolutionary league-phase format as the Champions League. Gone are the traditional groups — welcome to a 36-team single table with 8 matches per team. Here's your complete guide to the 2025/26 UEL season.
The New Europa League Format
Just like the Champions League, the Europa League now features:
- 36 teams in a single league table
- 4 pots of 9 teams, seeded by UEFA coefficient
- 8 matches per team (4 home, 4 away)
- 2 opponents from each pot (1 home, 1 away)
- Country protection — max 2 opponents from the same nation
Who Qualifies?
The Europa League draws its participants from:
- Domestic league runners-up and cup winners from top-ranked federations
- Champions League playoff losers — teams that narrowly miss the UCL drop into the UEL
- Direct qualification through UEFA coefficient ranking paths
This mix creates a fascinating blend of established European names and rising contenders.
The 4 Pots
| Pot | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Pot 1 | The highest-ranked UEL teams — previous winners, strong coefficient holders |
| Pot 2 | Solid European competitors with regular continental experience |
| Pot 3 | Mid-table coefficient teams, often domestic champions from smaller federations |
| Pot 4 | Qualifiers and lower-ranked teams — but don't underestimate them |
League Phase Results
After 8 matchdays, the table determines each team's fate:
| Position | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 1st – 8th | Direct qualification to the Round of 16 |
| 9th – 24th | Knockout Round Playoffs |
| 25th – 36th | Eliminated (no drop to Conference League) |
This is a key difference from the old format — there's no safety net. Teams finishing 25th or below are out of European competition entirely.
Why the Europa League Matters
The Europa League often gets overlooked in favour of its bigger sibling, but it offers:
- A direct path to the Champions League — the UEL winner qualifies for next season's UCL
- Competitive balance — without the super-clubs of the UCL, any team can realistically win
- Exciting matchups — you'll see teams from 20+ different countries competing
- Knockout drama — the playoff rounds create genuine do-or-die moments
Simulate Your Europa League Draw
Curious about who your team could face? Our Europa League Draw Simulator uses the exact same algorithm as the real UEFA draw:
- Pick any of the 36 UEL teams
- Get a realistic 8-match fixture list
- Share the results with friends on WhatsApp, X, or download as an image
It's free, instant, and you can run it as many times as you want.
Europa League vs Champions League
| Feature | UCL | UEL |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | 36 | 36 |
| Format | League phase + knockouts | League phase + knockouts |
| Prize money | Significantly higher | Lower but still substantial |
| Winner's reward | Title defence + pot 1 | UCL qualification |
| Quality of teams | Top tier | Mixed, but competitive |
Both tournaments now share the same innovative format, making the Europa League more exciting than ever.
Key Dates
- League Phase Draw: August 2025
- Matchdays 1–8: September 2025 – January 2026
- Knockout Round Playoffs: February 2026
- Final: May 2026
Don't wait for the official draw — simulate yours today!
Explore Europa League Teams
Discover detailed profiles of the top Europa League contenders:
- Manchester United — The Red Devils' European journey
- Tottenham Hotspur — Spurs in the UEL spotlight
- Lazio — Italian flair in Europe
- Ajax — Dutch masters on the European stage
- Eintracht Frankfurt — 2022 UEL champions
👉 View all Europa League teams
Related Articles
- Champions League Draw Simulator Guide — How to use our UCL simulator
- What is the Conference League? — UEFA's third competition explained
- How the Champions League Format Works — The same format powers the UEL
- Top 10 Dream Champions League Draws — Dream fixtures from the UCL