The 2026-27 Europa League schedule is set around UEFA’s league phase format, with the draw on August 28, 2026 and the final on May 26, 2027 in Frankfurt. Below is how the new 36-team format works, every key date from the league phase through the final, a printable standings tracker, and where to watch in the US.
- Teams: 36 in the league phase
- League phase games: 8 per team (4 home, 4 away)
- Advance: Top 8 to the round of 16; 9th-24th to the knockout play-offs
- League phase draw: August 28, 2026
- Final: May 26, 2027, Stadion Frankfurt (Frankfurt)
- Last updated: July 31, 2026
How the 2026-27 Europa League Format Works
The Europa League runs a single 36-team league phase instead of groups. Each club plays 8 matches against 8 different opponents, four at home and four away, and all 36 teams share one combined standings table. The top 8 finishers advance directly to the round of 16. Teams placing 9th through 24th drop into a two-legged knockout play-off round, with the winners joining the top 8 in the last 16. Clubs finishing 25th through 36th are eliminated. From the round of 16 on, ties are two-legged until the single-match final.
2026-27 Europa League Key Dates
Every stage of the 2026-27 Europa League, from the league phase draw through the final. Kickoff times and the full match list are confirmed after the August 28 draw.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| League phase draw | Aug 28, 2026 |
| Matchday 1 | Sept 16-17, 2026 |
| Matchday 2 | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Matchday 3 | Oct 22, 2026 |
| Matchday 4 | Nov 5, 2026 |
| Matchday 5 | Nov 26, 2026 |
| Matchday 6 | Dec 10, 2026 |
| Matchday 7 | Jan 21, 2027 |
| Matchday 8 | Jan 28, 2027 |
| Knockout play-offs | Feb 18 & 25, 2027 |
| Round of 16 | Mar 11 & 18, 2027 |
| Quarter-finals | Apr 8 & 15, 2027 |
| Semi-finals | Apr 29 & May 6, 2027 |
| Final (Frankfurt) | May 26, 2027 |
2026-27 Europa League League Phase Draw
The league phase draw was made on Aug 28, 2026. All 36 clubs play eight different opponents, two from each of the four pots, with four games at home and four away. The eight matchdays run from Sep 16-17, 2026 through Jan 28, 2027. Here is every club’s home and away slate.
| Club | Home (4) | Away (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Pot 1 | ||
| Leverkusen | Marseille, Salzburg, Celje, Besiktas | Lyon, GNK Dinamo, Lech Poznan, OFI Crete |
| Benfica | AZ Alkmaar, Celtic, Lech Poznan, OFI Crete | Milan, Viktoria Plzen, Omonia, N.E.C. |
| Juventus | Real Sociedad, Rennes, Omonia, N.E.C. | AZ Alkmaar, Ferencvaros, Celta, H. Beer-Sheva |
| Milan | Benfica, Ferencvaros, Sunderland, Ararat-Armenia | Olympiacos, Salzburg, Bournemouth, Levski Sofia |
| Lyon | Leverkusen, Union SG, Crystal Palace, Lillestrom | Real Sociedad, Anderlecht, Jagiellonia, Hoffenheim |
| AZ Alkmaar | Juventus, GNK Dinamo, Sturm Graz, H. Beer-Sheva | Benfica, Sparta Praha, Sunderland, Ararat-Armenia |
| Olympiacos | Milan, Sparta Praha, Jagiellonia, Hoffenheim | Marseille, Rennes, Celje, Torreense |
| Real Sociedad | Lyon, Viktoria Plzen, Bournemouth, Torreense | Juventus, Union SG, Crystal Palace, Lillestrom |
| Marseille | Olympiacos, Anderlecht, Celta, Levski Sofia | Leverkusen, Celtic, Sturm Graz, Besiktas |
| Pot 2 | ||
| Ferencvaros | Juventus, Viktoria Plzen, Celje, Torreense | Milan, Celtic, Lech Poznan, Hoffenheim |
| Viktoria Plzen | Benfica, Union SG, Jagiellonia, Levski Sofia | Real Sociedad, Ferencvaros, Bournemouth, Lillestrom |
| Union SG | Real Sociedad, Celtic, Lech Poznan, H. Beer-Sheva | Lyon, Viktoria Plzen, Celta, Besiktas |
| GNK Dinamo | Leverkusen, Anderlecht, Sturm Graz, N.E.C. | AZ Alkmaar, Rennes, Sunderland, H. Beer-Sheva |
| Salzburg | Milan, Sparta Praha, Crystal Palace, Ararat-Armenia | Leverkusen, Anderlecht, Celje, Levski Sofia |
| Celtic | Marseille, Ferencvaros, Celta, Besiktas | Benfica, Union SG, Omonia, Torreense |
| Sparta Praha | AZ Alkmaar, Rennes, Bournemouth, Lillestrom | Olympiacos, Salzburg, Crystal Palace, Ararat-Armenia |
| Rennes | Olympiacos, GNK Dinamo, Omonia, OFI Crete | Juventus, Sparta Praha, Sturm Graz, N.E.C. |
| Anderlecht | Lyon, Salzburg, Sunderland, Hoffenheim | Marseille, GNK Dinamo, Jagiellonia, OFI Crete |
| Pot 3 | ||
| Sturm Graz | Marseille, Rennes, Celje, OFI Crete | AZ Alkmaar, GNK Dinamo, Bournemouth, Hoffenheim |
| Lech Poznan | Leverkusen, Ferencvaros, Sunderland, Torreense | Benfica, Union SG, Crystal Palace, OFI Crete |
| Crystal Palace | Real Sociedad, Sparta Praha, Lech Poznan, Hoffenheim | Lyon, Salzburg, Jagiellonia, Besiktas |
| Bournemouth | Milan, Viktoria Plzen, Sturm Graz, H. Beer-Sheva | Real Sociedad, Sparta Praha, Celta, Lillestrom |
| Sunderland | AZ Alkmaar, GNK Dinamo, Jagiellonia, Levski Sofia | Milan, Anderlecht, Lech Poznan, Torreense |
| Celje | Olympiacos, Salzburg, Omonia, N.E.C. | Leverkusen, Ferencvaros, Sturm Graz, Ararat-Armenia |
| Jagiellonia | Lyon, Anderlecht, Crystal Palace, Ararat-Armenia | Olympiacos, Viktoria Plzen, Sunderland, Levski Sofia |
| Omonia | Benfica, Celtic, Celta, Besiktas | Juventus, Rennes, Celje, N.E.C. |
| Celta | Juventus, Union SG, Bournemouth, Lillestrom | Marseille, Celtic, Omonia, H. Beer-Sheva |
| Pot 4 | ||
| Hoffenheim | Lyon, Ferencvaros, Sturm Graz, Besiktas | Olympiacos, Anderlecht, Crystal Palace, OFI Crete |
| Besiktas | Marseille, Union SG, Crystal Palace, H. Beer-Sheva | Leverkusen, Celtic, Omonia, Hoffenheim |
| Torreense | Olympiacos, Celtic, Sunderland, Ararat-Armenia | Real Sociedad, Ferencvaros, Lech Poznan, Lillestrom |
| H. Beer-Sheva | Juventus, GNK Dinamo, Celta, OFI Crete | AZ Alkmaar, Union SG, Bournemouth, Besiktas |
| N.E.C. | Benfica, Rennes, Omonia, Levski Sofia | Juventus, GNK Dinamo, Celje, Ararat-Armenia |
| OFI Crete | Leverkusen, Anderlecht, Lech Poznan, Hoffenheim | Benfica, Rennes, Sturm Graz, H. Beer-Sheva |
| Lillestrom | Real Sociedad, Viktoria Plzen, Bournemouth, Torreense | Lyon, Sparta Praha, Celta, Levski Sofia |
| Levski Sofia | Milan, Salzburg, Jagiellonia, Lillestrom | Marseille, Viktoria Plzen, Sunderland, N.E.C. |
| Ararat-Armenia | AZ Alkmaar, Sparta Praha, Celje, N.E.C. | Milan, Salzburg, Jagiellonia, Torreense |
Notable Matchups
- Benfica vs Milan
- Leverkusen vs Marseille
- Juventus vs Real Sociedad
- Marseille vs Celtic
- Lyon vs Crystal Palace
- Milan vs Bournemouth
The Road to the Frankfurt Final
The knockout play-offs are February 18 and 25, 2027, followed by the round of 16 in March, the quarter-finals in April, and the semi-finals across April 29 and May 6. The 2027 Europa League final is a single match on May 26, 2027 at Stadion Frankfurt. The Europa League winner also earns a place in the following season’s Champions League league phase.
How to Watch the Europa League in the US
In the US, UEFA Europa League matches stream on Paramount+, with select matches airing on CBS Sports platforms. Exact network and kickoff time for each match are confirmed in the days before each matchday, so bookmark this page and check back as the fixtures firm up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 2026-27 Europa League format work?
The Europa League uses a 36-team league phase. Each club plays 8 different opponents (4 home, 4 away) in one combined table. The top 8 advance straight to the round of 16, teams finishing 9th through 24th enter a two-legged knockout play-off round, and the bottom 12 are eliminated.
When is the 2026-27 Europa League draw?
The league phase draw is held on August 28, 2026, the day after the Champions League draw. The 8 matchdays run from mid-September 2026 through late January 2027.
When and where is the 2027 Europa League final?
The 2027 Europa League final is on May 26, 2027 at Stadion Frankfurt (Deutsche Bank Park) in Frankfurt, Germany.
How can I watch the Europa League in the US?
In the US, UEFA Europa League matches stream on Paramount+, with select matches on CBS Sports platforms. Kickoff times and TV are confirmed closer to each matchday.
Is there a printable Europa League schedule?
Yes. A free printable league phase tracker is available above, with all 36 places and blank columns to fill in each club and its record through the eight matchdays.
More UEFA Coverage
Following the top tier too? See our 2026-27 Champions League schedule, format and bracket.
Related: see the 2026-27 Champions League league phase grid, key dates, and printable tracker.
