The UEFA Europa League 2026-27 league phase opens on Wednesday 16 September 2026, with Matchday 1 played across Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September. Europe’s second-tier club competition follows the same 36-team league phase format as the Champions League, with the winner earning automatic qualification to the 2027-28 Champions League.
What is the Europa League League Phase?
The Europa League league phase is the opening round of UEFA’s second-tier European club competition. Since 2024-25 the tournament has featured 36 teams in a single league, each playing eight matches against eight different opponents drawn from four seeded pots. Four home games and four away games are scheduled for every club. The top eight at the end of the league phase advance directly to the round of 16, while teams placed ninth to 24th contest a two-legged knockout play-off round in February to fill the remaining last-16 places.
Unlike the old group stage, no clubs drop into the Conference League from the Europa League league phase. Teams finishing 25th or lower exit European competition for the season. The Europa League champion gains automatic entry to the following season’s Champions League league phase.
When is Europa League Matchday 1?
Matchday 1 of the 2026-27 Europa League is played over two evenings, Wednesday 16 September and Thursday 17 September 2026. Most kick-off slots take place at 18:45 and 21:00 CET. UEFA publishes the detailed broadcast schedule after the league phase draw, which follows the Champions League draw in late August.
Where is Europa League Matchday 1 played?
Fixtures take place at the home stadiums of the 36 qualified clubs across UEFA’s member associations. The 2026-27 final is scheduled for Wednesday 26 May 2027, with UEFA having confirmed the host venue as part of its multi-year venue rotation. Qualifiers include clubs eliminated from earlier Champions League rounds, domestic cup winners, and sides finishing in designated European positions in their national leagues.
Key Contenders
Tottenham Hotspur won the 2024-25 Europa League after a dramatic final, and Premier League and Serie A sides typically dominate modern editions. English clubs including Manchester United and Aston Villa, Italian entries such as Roma and Lazio, and regulars like Ajax, Benfica, Porto, Bayer Leverkusen and Olympique Lyonnais form the backbone of recent contender lists. Spanish and French sides transferring in from Champions League elimination add further quality to the knockout rounds. The prize of a Champions League place next season keeps motivation high throughout the campaign.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, the Europa League is broadcast by TNT Sports and streamed on discovery+. In the United States, Paramount+ holds exclusive rights. RTL and Nitro share rights in Germany alongside DAZN, while Canal+ covers France. Stan Sport streams all matches in Australia, and Virgin Media Television shares rights in Ireland with TNT Sports. Fans in most territories can follow every match live, with dedicated highlights windows after each fixture night.
History and Records
The Europa League traces its lineage back to the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup of 1955 and the UEFA Cup, which ran from 1971 until it was rebranded as the Europa League in 2009. Sevilla leads the all-time roll of honour with seven titles, including three in a row from 2014 to 2016, followed by Inter Milan, Liverpool and Juventus on three apiece. Atalanta won the first final of the league phase era in 2023-24, and Tottenham claimed the 2024-25 title.
Tickets and Attendance
Matchday 1 tickets are sold by the home club through its own ticketing channels, with members and season-ticket holders prioritised. Europa League tickets are generally more affordable than Champions League equivalents, with entry-level prices at many clubs starting under 25 euros. UEFA operates a separate ballot for the Europa League final, opening to applicants worldwide in early 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Europa League Matchday 1 start?
Matchday 1 is played on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September 2026.
How does the Europa League league phase work?
36 clubs each play eight matches in a single league table, with the top eight advancing directly to the round of 16 and teams ranked 9-24 contesting a knockout play-off.
How can I watch the Europa League?
TNT Sports in the UK, Paramount+ in the US, Stan Sport in Australia, and RTL/DAZN in Germany are the primary broadcasters.
Who won the last Europa League final?
Tottenham Hotspur won the 2024-25 Europa League, their first major European trophy since 1984.