Europa League Last-16 Draw: Date, Start Time and Qualified Teams Revealed
The draw to determine the knockout round fixtures for the Europa League will be held on Friday afternoon, with Premier League sides Aston Villa and possibly Nottingham Forest learning their last-16 opponents. The event marks a crucial step towards the final in Istanbul this May.
When and Where is the Draw?
The Europa League last-16 draw is scheduled for Friday 27 February 2026 at 12pm GMT (1pm local time) in Nyon, Switzerland. This pivotal moment will set the stage for the knockout phase, outlining potential routes to the championship match.
How to Watch the Draw Live
Fans can follow the draw live through multiple digital platforms. UEFA will stream the event on its official website, YouTube channel, and the dedicated Europa League app, ensuring global accessibility for supporters.
Teams Qualified for the Last-16
Eight teams have already secured their places in the last-16 by finishing in the top eight of the league phase. These clubs include:
- Lyon
- Aston Villa
- FC Midtjylland
- Real Betis
- Porto
- Braga
- Freiburg
- AS Roma
An additional eight teams will advance via the play-off matches, completing the last-16 lineup. The play-off second legs feature key matchups such as Fenerbahce versus Nottingham Forest, where Forest holds a 3-0 aggregate lead.
Draw Structure and Possible Opponents
The draw has been pre-organised into seeded pools based on league phase standings, limiting potential opponents for each team. For instance, Aston Villa, who finished second, could face Lille or Crvena Zvezda from one pool, or PAOK or Celta Vigo from another.
Nottingham Forest, if they progress, would be drawn against either Panathinaikos or Viktoria Plzen, or Fenerbahce, depending on play-off outcomes. Notably, clubs from the same national league are permitted to face each other in the knockout rounds.
Key Draw Permutations
The seeded groupings create specific match-up possibilities:
- Lyon and Aston Villa: Will play either Lille/Crvena Zvezda or PAOK/Celta Vigo.
- FC Midtjylland and Real Betis: Will face Panathinaikos/Viktoria Plzen or Fenerbahce/Nottingham Forest.
- Porto and Braga: Will meet Ludogorets/Ferencvaros or Celtic/Stuttgart.
- Freiburg and AS Roma: Will take on Brann/Bologna or Dinamo Zagreb/Genk.
Knockout Stage Match Dates
The last-16 ties are set for mid-March, with subsequent rounds following a tight schedule:
- Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
- Quarter-finals: 8/9 & 15/16 April 2026
- Semi-finals: 29/30 April & 6/7 May 2026
- Final: 19/20 May 2026 in Istanbul
This draw not only shapes immediate fixtures but also charts the course towards European glory, with teams like Aston Villa aiming to capitalise on their strong league phase performance.
