Europa League Play-Off Draw Sets Stage for Knockout Phase
The Europa League knockout phase play-offs have been officially drawn, revealing the matchups for teams that finished between ninth and 24th in the group stage. This crucial round determines which clubs will advance to the last-16 stage of the competition, adding excitement to the football calendar in February 2026.
Key Fixtures for British Clubs
Nottingham Forest have been handed a challenging away fixture, as they are set to travel to face Fenerbahce. Meanwhile, Celtic will take on Stuttgart in what promises to be a tricky play-off encounter. These ties highlight the competitive nature of the Europa League, with both British sides needing to overcome strong opposition to progress further in the tournament.
Complete Play-Off Draw Details
The full list of play-off ties includes several intriguing matchups across Europe. In addition to the British clubs, other notable fixtures are:
- Ludogorets versus Ferencvaros
- PAOK against Real Club Celta
- Lille taking on Red Star Belgrade
- Panathinaikos facing Viktoria Plzen
- SK Brann hosting Bologna
- GNK Dinamo Zagreb playing Genk
All these matches are scheduled to be played over two legs, with the first legs on 19 February 2026 and the second legs a week later on 26 February 2026. The winners from these eight ties will secure their spots in the last-16 stage, joining the top eight placed sides who have already qualified directly.
Looking Ahead to the Last-16 Draw
The top eight teams, which include prominent clubs such as Lyon, Aston Villa, Real Betis, and Roma, will discover their opponents in a separate draw scheduled for 27 February 2026. This adds another layer of anticipation, as these sides await to see who they will face in the next round of the competition.
Overall, the Europa League play-off draw sets up a thrilling series of matches, with Nottingham Forest and Celtic among the clubs aiming to make their mark in European football this season.
