The 2026/27 UEFA Europa League is almost here, with 36 clubs preparing to battle it out for one of European football’s most prestigious trophies.
But when does the Europa League start? How does the new format work? Which teams are involved? When are the key fixtures? And who are the favourites in the Europa League winner betting?
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026/27 Europa League, including the latest fixtures, format, key dates and outright odds.
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When does the Europa League start?
The 2026/27 Europa League league phase starts on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The opening matchday is spread across September 16 and 17, with 36 teams beginning their campaigns across eight league-phase matchdays.
The Europa League qualifying campaign actually began in July, with the final play-off ties completed in August before the league-phase draw was made in Monaco on August 28.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| League phase Matchday 1 | September 16-17, 2026 |
| Matchday 2 | October 15 |
| Matchday 3 | October 22 |
| Matchday 4 | November 5 |
| Matchday 5 | November 26 |
| Matchday 6 | December 10 |
| Matchday 7 | January 21, 2027 |
| Matchday 8 | January 28 |
| Knockout play-offs | February 18 & 25 |
| Round of 16 | March 11 & 18 |
| Quarter-finals | April 8 & 15 |
| Semi-finals | April 29 & May 6 |
| Europa League final | May 26, 2027 |
UEFA has confirmed that the league phase concludes on January 28, 2027, before the knockout stages begin in February.
What is the Europa League format?
The Europa League continues with the 36-team league phase format, replacing the old group-stage system.
There are 36 teams in one overall league table rather than traditional groups.
Every club plays eight different opponents, with four matches at home and four away. Teams are drawn against two opponents from each of the four seeding pots, playing one at home and one away from each pot.
There are no traditional groups and teams do not face the same opponent twice during the league phase.
How do teams qualify for the Europa League knockout stages?
The final league table determines who progresses:
- 1st-8th: Automatically qualify for the Round of 16
- 9th-24th: Enter the knockout phase play-offs
- 25th-36th: Eliminated from European competition
The teams finishing 9th-16th are seeded in the play-off draw, while those finishing 17th-24th are unseeded.
The eight play-off winners then join the eight teams that qualified automatically in the Round of 16.
From there, the competition follows the familiar knockout format through the Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals before the final.
Which teams are in the Europa League 2026/27?
The 36 teams competing in the league phase include some of the biggest names in European football, with AC Milan, Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, Celtic, Marseille and Lyon among the headline clubs.
Europa League 2026/27 teams:
- England: Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Sunderland
- Italy: AC Milan, Juventus
- Germany: Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim
- France: Lyon, Marseille, Rennes
- Spain: Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad
- Portugal: Benfica, Torreense
- Netherlands: AZ Alkmaar, N.E.C.
- Scotland: Celtic
- Belgium: Anderlecht, Union Saint-Gilloise
- Austria: Salzburg, Sturm Graz
- Czechia: Sparta Prague, Viktoria Plzeň
- Greece: OFI Crete, Olympiacos
- Poland: Jagiellonia, Lech Poznań
- Croatia: GNK Dinamo
- Hungary: Ferencváros
- Norway: Lillestrøm
- Bulgaria: Levski Sofia
- Cyprus: Omonia
- Armenia: Ararat-Armenia
- Israel: Hapoel Be’er Sheva
A total of 21 different national associations are represented in the 2026/27 Europa League league phase.
Europa League fixtures 2026/27
The opening round of fixtures includes some huge games, with AC Milan vs Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen vs Celje, Anderlecht vs Lyon, Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, Celtic vs Ferencváros, Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznań, Juventus vs N.E.C. and Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth among the standout ties.
Matchday 1
- Ararat-Armenia vs Sparta Prague
- Omonia vs Celta Vigo
- AC Milan vs Benfica
- Bayer Leverkusen vs Celje
- Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs GNK Dinamo
- Olympiacos vs Jagiellonia
- Anderlecht vs Lyon
- Sturm Graz vs Rennes
- Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar
- OFI Crete vs Hoffenheim
- Levski Sofia vs Salzburg
- Beşiktaş vs Marseille
- Celtic vs Ferencváros
- Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznań
- Viktoria Plzeň vs Union Saint-Gilloise
- Juventus vs N.E.C.
- Lillestrøm vs Torreense
- Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth
The full Europa League fixture list is available on the UEFA website.
Europa League outright odds 2026/27
The 2026/27 Europa League features plenty of heavyweight clubs, with AC Milan, Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen and Benfica among the leading contenders for the trophy.
2026/27 UEFA Europa League outright odds: Juventus 7/1, AC Milan 15/2, Bayer Leverkusen 9/1, Marseille 10/1, Bournemouth 10/1, 11/1 BAR.
Full prices can be found here.
When is the Europa League final?
The 2027 Europa League final will take place on Wednesday, May 26, 2027.
Where is the Europa League Final being hosted?
The final will be played at Stadion Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany, home of Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt.
What Irish players will feature in the Europa League?
Andrew Omobamidele (Anderlecht), Liam Scales (Celtic) and Callum O’Dowda (Ferencvárosi) are the most likely Irishmen to see regular action in the competition this season.
Europa League 2026/27 FAQs
When does the Europa League 2026/27 start?
The Europa League league phase begins on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The qualifying rounds began in July.
How many teams are in the Europa League?
There are 36 teams in the league phase.
How many games does each team play?
Every team plays eight league-phase matches, four at home and four away.
How many teams qualify for the Round of 16?
The top eight teams qualify automatically, while another eight places are decided through the knockout phase play-offs involving teams finishing 9th-24th.
When is the Europa League final?
The 2027 Europa League final is on Wednesday, May 26, 2027.
Where is the Europa League Final?
The final will be played at Stadion Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany.
Who is favourite to win the Europa League?
AC Milan, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen are among the leading names in the 2026/27 Europa League outright market.
What channel is the Europa League on?
Irish football fans can follow the Europa League on Virgin Media, Premier Sports and TNT Sports.
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