Europa League 2024/25: Format, Key Dates & Draw Insights

The Revamped Format of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League

The 2024/25 UEFA Europa League season is set to introduce significant changes, marking its 54th edition with a fresh, revamped format.

What’s New in the Europa League Format?

One of the most notable changes to the competition is the transformation of the group stage into a single 36-team league stage. Each participating club will face eight different teams, balancing four matches at home and four away.

Advancement to Knockout Rounds

The top eight teams in the league stage will earn direct qualification to the knockout stage's round of 16. Meanwhile, teams placed 9th to 24th will engage in knockout play-offs for a chance to advance.

Key Dates for the 2024/25 Europa League Draws

• League Stage Draw: August 30, 2024
• Knockout Round Play-offs Draw: January 31, 2025
• Knockout Round Proper Draw: February 21, 2025

Qualified Teams for the League Phase

A total of teams qualify for the league phase, including:

• Domestic Cup Winners: 7 teams
• League Positions: 5 teams
• Current Europa Conference League Holders: Olympiakos

Confirmed Qualified Teams
(As of Now)

• England: Manchester United, Tottenham
• Scotland: Rangers
• Spain: Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad
• Germany: Eintracht Frankfurt, Hoffenheim
• Italy: Roma, Lazio
• France: Nice, Lyon
• Netherlands: AZ Alkmaar
• Portugal: Porto
• Europa Conference League Winner: Olympiakos

League Stage Fixture Dates

The fixtures will occur on the following dates:

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

Knockout Stage Schedule

The knockout stage will take place on the following dates:

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

2024/25 Europa League Final Location

The Europa League final will be held at the Estadio de San Mames in Bilbao, Spain, on May 21, 2025.

Understanding the Europa Conference League

The Europa Conference League, introduced in the 2021/22 season, operates alongside the Europa League and follows a similar 36-team league stage format. Chelsea, Kilmarnock, and Hearts are among clubs involved in qualifying for this year’s edition.

Conference League Fixtures

The league stage fixtures for the Conference League are scheduled for:

• Matchday 1: October 3, 2024
• Matchday 2: October 24, 2024
• Matchday 3: November 7, 2024
• Matchday 4: November 28, 2024
• Matchday 5: December 12, 2024
• Matchday 6: December 19, 2024

Final Venue for the Conference League

Stadion Wroclaw in Poland will host the Conference League final, scheduled for May 28, 2025.

With these exciting changes, the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League promises to be a season filled with thrilling matches and intense competition, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.