The 2024/25 Europa League marks the 54th season of this prominent European club competition and the 16th since its rebranding from the UEFA Cup. This season introduces a new format, enhancing the tournament's structure and offering fans an exciting array of fixtures. Here’s a detailed look at the updated format, participating teams, and schedule for the Europa League.

New Format for the Europa League

The most significant change in the 2024/25 Europa League is the revised group stage structure. Instead of the traditional group phase, the tournament now features a single league phase comprising 36 teams. Each team will compete in eight matches—four at home and four away—against different opponents.

The top eight teams in the league phase will advance directly to the round of 16. Teams finishing from ninth to 24th will enter the knockout phase play-offs, with the winners joining the top eight in the last 16. After this stage, the competition will proceed with a straightforward knockout format.

Metro | MSN | Europa League now features a single league phase comprising 36 teams.

Teams Competing in the 2024/25 Europa League

This season's Europa League will feature a diverse lineup of teams. The competition includes seven domestic cup winners and five additional teams based on their league placements. Olympiacos, the holders of the UEFA Europa Conference League, is also guaranteed a spot.

Teams from major European leagues feature prominently:

• Netherlands: Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, FC Twente
• Turkey: Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray
• Belgium: Anderlecht, Union Saint-Gilloise
• Czechia: Slavia Praha, Viktoria Plzeň
• England: Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
• France: Nice, Lyon
• Germany: Eintracht Frankfurt, Hoffenheim
• Greece: Olympiacos, PAOK
• Italy: Lazio, Roma
• Portugal: Braga, Porto
• Spain: Athletic Club, Real Sociedad
• Sweden: Elfsborg, Malmö FF
• Azerbaijan: Qarabağ
• Bulgaria: Ludogorets
• Denmark: Midtjylland
• Hungary: Ferencváros
• Israel: M. Tel-Aviv
• Latvia: RFS
• Norway: Bodø/Glimt
• Romania: FCSB
• Scotland: Rangers
• Ukraine: Dynamo Kyiv

Qualifying Process for the 2024/25 Europa League

Teams qualified for the Europa League based on their club coefficient rankings and domestic performance. The qualification involved several stages:

• First qualifying round: 11 & 18 July 2024
• Second qualifying round: 25 July & 1 August 2024
• Third qualifying round: 8 & 15 August 2024
• Play-offs: 22 & 29 August 2024

Twelve teams entered the league phase via the play-offs, while eleven others joined from the Champions League qualifying rounds.

2024/25 Europa League League Phase Matches

The league phase will run from late September to the end of January. Here are the key dates:

• Matchday 1: 25/26 September 2024
• Matchday 2: 3 October 2024
• Matchday 3: 24 October 2024
• Matchday 4: 7 November 2024
• Matchday 5: 28 November 2024
• Matchday 6: 12 December 2024
• Matchday 7: 23 January 2025
• Matchday 8: 30 January 2025

During this phase, each club will face eight different teams, playing two matches against teams from each of the four pots, ranked by strength.

Sporting News | MSN | The 2024/25 Europa League final will be held at Bilbao’s Estadio de San Mamés on 21 May 2025.

Knockout Phase and Key Dates

The knockout phase will begin in February 2025, following the league phase. The schedule is as follows:

• Knockout phase play-offs: 13 & 20 February 2025
• Round of 16: 6 & 13 March 2025
• Quarter-finals: 10 & 17 April 2025
• Semi-finals: 1 & 8 May 2025
• Final: 21 May 2025

The knockout rounds will follow a standard two-legged format, with the aggregate score determining who advances.

2024/25 Europa League Draw Dates

The draw dates for the various stages of the competition are crucial for determining the fixtures:

• First qualifying round: 18 June 2024
• Second qualifying round: 19 June 2024
• Third qualifying round: 22 July 2024
• Play-offs: 5 August 2024
• League phase: 30 August 2024
• Knockout phase play-offs: 31 January 2025
• Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final: 21 February 2025

Final Venue for the 2024/25 Europa League

The 2024/25 Europa League final will be held at Bilbao’s Estadio de San Mamés. This stadium, known for its vibrant atmosphere, will host the concluding match of the competition on 21 May 2025. The winners will secure a spot in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League and earn a place in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup against the Champions League winners.