Your Ultimate Guide to the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League

The UEFA Europa League is back for its second season under a revolutionary new format, promising even more drama, more matches, and more opportunities for fans to follow their team on a thrilling journey across the continent. With an expanded field of 36 teams and a single league phase replacing the traditional group stage, this season is set to build on the success of the new system and be one of the most unpredictable and exciting yet.

Here at Sports Tourist, we’ve broken down everything you need to know to plan your ultimate European football pilgrimage. From key dates to a rundown of all the teams, their legendary stadiums, and travel highlights, consider this your essential guide for the new season.

The New Format: Key Dates You Need to Know

The days of the four-team groups are a thing of the past. The new format, which debuted last season, sees all 36 teams compete in a single league, with each side playing eight matches against eight different opponents—four at home and four away. The top eight teams will qualify directly for the Round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th will battle it out in a two-legged knockout play-off to secure their spot.

Mark your calendars with these critical dates for the 2025-26 campaign:

League Phase Matchdays:

• Matchday 1: September 24–25, 2025
• Matchday 2: October 2, 2025
• Matchday 3: October 23, 2025
• Matchday 4: November 6, 2025
• Matchday 5: November 27, 2025
• Matchday 6: December 11, 2025
• Matchday 7: January 22, 2026
• Matchday 8: January 29, 2026

Knockout Phase:

• Knockout Play-offs: February 19 and February 26, 2026
• Round of 16: March 12 and March 19, 2026
• Quarterfinals: April 9 and April 16, 2026
• Semifinals: April 30 and May 7, 2026
• Final: May 20, 2026 – Beşiktaş Park, Istanbul

The Teams: A Preview of the 36 Contenders

The expanded league phase brings new faces and old foes together. Here is a preview of the confirmed qualified teams, their home stadiums, and a travel highlight to inspire your trip.

England

• Aston Villa (Villa Park, Birmingham): A strong Premier League finish sees Unai Emery’s side return to Europe. Explore Birmingham’s impressive canals, a vibrant culinary scene, and the historic Jewellery Quarter.
• Nottingham Forest (The City Ground, Nottingham): After a remarkable domestic season, Forest are back on the European stage. Discover the legend of Robin Hood at Nottingham Castle and explore the city’s ancient cave network.

Spain

• Real Betis (Benito Villamarín, Seville): Perennial European contenders, Real Betis qualified through their league finish. Get lost in the beautiful streets of the Santa Cruz quarter and take in a fiery flamenco show.
• Celta Vigo (Balaídos, Vigo): A solid domestic season saw Celta Vigo secure their spot. Explore the historic old town, enjoy fresh seafood at the local markets, and take a ferry to the stunning Cíes Islands.

Germany

• VfB Stuttgart (MHPArena, Stuttgart): A strong season in the Bundesliga earns Stuttgart a place in the Europa League. Visit the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums for a taste of the city’s automotive history and enjoy the views from the TV tower.
• SC Freiburg (Europa-Park Stadion, Freiburg): Known for their consistent performance, Freiburg is back to represent Germany. Explore the charming Black Forest, wander through the historic old town, and hike up to Schlossberg for panoramic views.

Italy

• Bologna (Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna): Winners of the Coppa Italia, Bologna will be a team to watch. Climb the leaning towers of the city, indulge in the world-famous local cuisine, and explore the porticoes that line the streets.
• AS Roma (Stadio Olimpico, Rome): After a fifth-place finish in Serie A, Roma will be aiming for a deep run in the competition. Combine your trip with a visit to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Vatican City.

France

• Lille (Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille): A strong domestic campaign sees Lille qualify. Explore the beautiful Vieille Ville (old town) and its grand squares, and indulge in a local beer at one of the many pubs.
• Lyon (Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon): A regular in European competition, Lyon enters the Europa League. Take a stroll along the Rhône River, explore the historic old town of Vieux Lyon, and try the local bouchon restaurants.
• Nice (Allianz Riviera, Nice): A surprise qualifier after a strong domestic finish, Nice will be a formidable opponent. Soak up the sun on the Promenade des Anglais, explore the colourful old town (Vieux Nice), and visit the Chagall and Matisse museums.

Portugal

• Porto (Estádio do Dragão, Porto): After a third-place finish in the Primeira Liga, Porto will be a formidable opponent. Take a tour of the famous Port wine cellars, walk across the Dom Luís I bridge, and explore the Ribeira district.
• Braga (Estádio Municipal de Braga, Braga): The “Architectural Masterpiece” stadium is a must-see for any football fan. Explore the religious and historical sites of the city and take a funicular to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte.

Scotland

• Rangers (Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow): A consistent presence in European competition, Rangers will be a tough team to face with their famously passionate home crowd. Explore Glasgow’s impressive Victorian architecture and its world-class art galleries and museums.
• Celtic FC (Celtic Park, Glasgow): The reigning Scottish champions are back in the Europa League. Experience the legendary Celtic Park atmosphere and explore the city’s lively music scene and Victorian architecture.

Other European Teams

• Sturm Graz (Merkur Arena, Graz, Austria): As the reigning Austrian champions, Sturm Graz will be looking to make their mark. Explore the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and climb the Schlossberg hill for incredible views.
• Red Bull Salzburg (Red Bull Arena, Salzburg, Austria): After a strong domestic season, Red Bull Salzburg will be a regular sight in European competitions. Explore the birthplace of Mozart, hike up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress for stunning views, and discover the filming locations from The Sound of Music.
• Genk (Cegeka Arena, Genk, Belgium): A consistent presence in European football, Genk is ready for the new format. Explore the Limburg region with its beautiful nature reserves and unique mining heritage.
• Ludogorets Razgrad (Huvepharma Arena, Razgrad, Bulgaria): Another domestic champion, Ludogorets has a proud history of competing in Europe. Explore the ancient Roman ruins and historic mosques in the city.
• Dinamo Zagreb (Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb, Croatia): A dominant force in Croatian football, Dinamo Zagreb will bring their passionate fanbase. Take a stroll through the charming Upper Town, visit the Dolac Market, and enjoy the city’s vibrant café culture.
• Viktoria Plzeň (Doosan Arena, Plzeň, Czech Republic): A consistent contender in Czech football, Viktoria Plzeň secured their spot by qualifying for the competition. Visit the Pilsner Urquell Brewery and explore the beautiful historic square and St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral.
• Midtjylland (MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark): A strong team from the Danish Superliga, Midtjylland returns to European competition. Use Herning as a base to explore the famous Legoland Park in Billund or the stunning North Sea coast.
• FCSB (Arena Națională, Bucharest, Romania): The Romanian champions will be looking to make their mark. Explore Bucharest’s historic Old Town, visit the Palace of the Parliament, and relax at Therme București, Europe’s largest wellness spa.
• Fenerbahçe (Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye): The Turkish giants return to European competition. Wander through the historic Sultanahmet Square, visit the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and experience the vibrant Grand Bazaar.
• Red Star Belgrade (Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia): The Serbian champions have a fearsome reputation and will be a tough opponent. Discover the Belgrade Fortress, take a boat trip on the Sava and Danube rivers, and explore the vibrant nightlife.
• Maccabi Tel Aviv (Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv, Israel): The Israeli champions will bring their energetic style to the competition. Relax on the city’s stunning beaches, explore the ancient port of Jaffa, and wander through the Bauhaus architecture of the White City.
• Young Boys (Stadion Wankdorf, Bern, Switzerland): A consistent force in Swiss football, Young Boys will be a tough team to face. Explore Bern’s medieval old town, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy the beautiful views of the Aare River.
• PAOK (Toumba Stadium, Thessaloniki, Greece): A top team from the Greek Super League, PAOK are back in Europe. Experience the “cauldron” atmosphere of Toumba Stadium and then explore Thessaloniki’s ancient Roman ruins, Byzantine churches, and vibrant waterfront.
• Ferencváros (Groupama Arena, Budapest, Hungary): The Hungarian champions will be a team to watch. Relax in one of the city’s famous thermal baths, take in the views from Buda Castle, and stroll along the Danube River.
• Basel (St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland): A Swiss powerhouse, Basel is a familiar name in European football. Explore the city’s stunning art museums, charming Old Town, and picturesque Rhine River.
• Malmö (Eleda Stadion, Malmö, Sweden): The Swedish champions will be a team to watch out for. Explore the vibrant city of Malmö, cross the impressive Öresund Bridge to Copenhagen, and visit the futuristic Turning Torso skyscraper.
• Go Ahead Eagles (De Adelaarshorst, Deventer, Netherlands): A surprise qualifier, Go Ahead Eagles will be looking to make an impact. Explore the charming Hanseatic city of Deventer with its medieval streets and historic buildings.
• Utrecht (Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht, Netherlands): Another Dutch team ready to make a name for themselves. Climb the Dom Tower for incredible views, explore the unique canals with their wharf-side cellars, and wander through the charming streets.
• Panathinaikos (Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, Athens, Greece): A classic Greek club, Panathinaikos will be a difficult opponent. Explore the Acropolis, visit the Parthenon, and wander through the ancient Agora.
• Brann (Brann Stadion, Bergen, Norway): A top team from the Norwegian Eliteserien, Brann will be a formidable opponent. Explore the city’s beautiful fjords, take the Fløibanen funicular for breathtaking views, and wander through the colourful Bryggen wharf.

The 2025-26 UEFA Europa League season is more than just a competition; it’s a passport to some of Europe’s most exciting and diverse cities. The new format offers an unparalleled opportunity to see your favorite team take on a wide range of opponents in a variety of settings. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual traveler, the Europa League is the perfect excuse for a European adventure.

Which team are you most excited to see play in the Europa League this season?

Last Updated on September 11, 2025 by Sports Tourist