The Europa League is heating up as the knockout phase approaches, with the play-off draw poised to set the stage for thrilling encounters. British clubs, including Nottingham Forest and Celtic, are among the teams vying for a spot in the last sixteen, following a dramatic conclusion to the league phase.
When and Where is the Europa League Play-Off Draw?
The draw for the 2025/26 Europa League knockout phase play-offs is scheduled to commence at 12pm GMT on Friday 30 January. It will be held in Nyon, Switzerland, a traditional venue for UEFA events. This draw involves teams that finished between ninth and twenty-fourth in the league phase, with the top eight sides having already secured automatic qualification for the round of sixteen.
How to Watch the Draw Live
Fans can follow the Europa League play-off draw live through multiple channels. UEFA will provide a live stream on its official website and the Europa League app, ensuring global accessibility. Additionally, Independent Sport will host a live blog, offering real-time updates on the draw results and expert analysis as the pairings are revealed.
Teams in the Europa League Play-Off Draw
A total of sixteen teams are included in the play-off draw, representing a diverse mix of European football. Notably, two-thirds of the remaining British contingent are present, adding to the excitement for UK supporters. The seeded teams, based on their league phase finishes, are as follows:
- 9. Genk (Belgium)
- 10. Bologna (Italy)
- 11. Stuttgart (Germany)
- 12. Ferencvaros (Hungary)
- 13. Nottingham Forest (England)
- 14. Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic)
- 15. Red Star Belgrade (Serbia)
- 16. Celta Vigo (Spain)
The unseeded teams include:
- 17. PAOK (Greece)
- 18. Lille (France)
- 19. Fenerbahce (Turkey)
- 20. Panathinaikos (Greece)
- 21. Celtic (Scotland)
- 22. Ludogorets Razgrad (Bulgaria)
- 23. Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
- 24. Brann (Norway)
How the Europa League Play-Off Draw Works
The draw mechanism is designed to pair teams based on their league phase positions. Four seeded pairs are formed: positions 9 and 10, 11 and 12, 13 and 14, and 15 and 16. Correspondingly, there are four unseeded pairs: positions 17 and 18, 19 and 20, 21 and 22, and 23 and 24. Each seeded pair will be drawn against an unseeded pair, with specific match-ups predetermined: clubs 9 or 10 face clubs 23 or 24, clubs 11 or 12 face clubs 21 or 22, clubs 13 or 14 face clubs 19 or 20, and clubs 15 or 16 face clubs 17 or 18. Notably, teams from the same national association or those that have already met in the league phase are not restricted from facing each other in these play-offs.
Schedule for the Knockout Phase Play-Off Ties
The play-off ties will be contested over two legs, with the seeded team hosting the return match. The first legs are set for 19 February, followed by the second legs on 26 February. This format ensures a balanced competition, with both home and away advantages playing a crucial role in determining which teams advance.
Looking Ahead: The Round of 16 Draw
Following the play-offs, the eight victorious teams will join the directly qualified sides in the round of sixteen draw, scheduled for Friday 27 February. This next stage will feature intriguing potential match-ups, such as Stuttgart or Ferencvaros against Celtic or Ludogorets Razgrad, and Nottingham Forest or Viktoria Plzen facing Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos, among others. The Europa League continues to deliver high-stakes football as clubs chase European glory.
