The 2025/26 UEFA Europa League draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals is scheduled for February 27, 2026, at 13:00 CET. This event will take place at the House of European Football located in Nyon, Switzerland.
UEFA Europa League Draw Format
In the round of 16, eight winners from the knockout phase play-offs will join the top eight teams from the league phase. These eight teams will be seeded, organizing the draw and matchups.
Team Pairing and Seeding Process
- Teams are paired according to their rankings at the end of the league phase.
- Four seeded pairs will be established:
- Positions 1 and 2
- Positions 3 and 4
- Positions 5 and 6
- Positions 7 and 8
During the draw, each seeded team will be placed in one of two bracket positions against knockout phase winners. The seeding will influence matchups as teams are drawn from four different bowls based on their league positions.
Draw Viewing Options
The UEFA Europa League draw will be streamed live on various platforms, including UEFA.com, UEFA.tv, and the official UEFA Europa League app.
Match Schedule for the Knockout Phase
The knockout phase of the UEFA Europa League consists of several key dates:
- Round of 16: March 12 & 19, 2026
- Quarter-finals: April 9 & 16, 2026
- Semi-finals: April 30 & May 7, 2026
- Final: May 20, 2026, in Istanbul
Teams will proceed through the bracket established during the initial draws, with the second leg of each match played at the home ground of the lower-seeded team. Additionally, teams from the same national association can face each other during the later rounds, including the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Future Scheduling and Competitions
All match dates will be affirmed by UEFA after the draw is completed, taking into consideration distinct principles for scheduling. UEFA’s administration holds the authority to make adjustments when necessary, particularly regarding clubs from the same city.
The complete schedule for the knockout phase will be available following the draw on February 27, 2026. The quarter-final and semi-final schedule is expected to be communicated on March 20, 2026.
