The 2025/26 Europa League season ushers in a revamped league-phase format, unveiled during the draw ceremony held in Monaco. Departing from the traditional ball-drawing method, a digital system was employed, with former Belgian football star Eden Hazard initiating the process that generated the fixtures. Thirty-six participating clubs, categorized into four pots based on their UEFA coefficients, will each engage in eight matches, equally split between home and away games. The draw mechanics ensured that each team faces two opponents from each of the four pots, while also preventing clubs from the same country from being drawn against each other. This new format promises a more dynamic and competitive group stage, fostering exciting encounters between teams of varying strengths and footballing styles.
The draw served up a compelling fixture list, pitting clubs from diverse leagues against each other. English Premier League sides Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, returning to European competition after a 30-year hiatus, face challenging schedules. Aston Villa are set to clash with Dutch sides Feyenoord and Go Ahead Eagles, while also hosting Turkish giants Fenerbahçe. Nottingham Forest’s journey includes home games against Malmö and away trips to established European contenders Porto, Real Betis, and Dutch side Utrecht. The draw underscores the breadth of competition in the Europa League, offering these English clubs a chance to test themselves against a variety of opponents from across Europe.
Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic were also handed intriguing draws. Rangers embark on a demanding campaign, facing Roma, Porto, Braga, Ferencváros, Ludogorets, Sturm Graz, Genk, and Brann. This fixture list represents a true test of their squad depth and tactical flexibility, as they navigate a diverse range of playing styles and tactical approaches. Celtic, equally, have been drawn against a formidable set of opponents including Roma, Feyenoord, Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Midtjylland, Sturm Graz, Bologna, and Utrecht. These fixtures offer both Scottish sides the opportunity to showcase their talent on the European stage and compete against some of the continent’s most established clubs.
The composition of the four pots reflected the tiered structure based on club coefficients. Pot 1 housed highly-ranked teams such as Roma, Porto, Rangers, Feyenoord, Lille, Dinamo Zagreb, Real Betis, Salzburg, and Aston Villa. Pot 2 comprised clubs like Fenerbahçe, Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Lyon, PAOK, Viktoria Plzeň, Ferencváros, Celtic, and Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Pot 3 featured Young Boys, Basel, Midtjylland, Freiburg, Ludogorets, Nottingham Forest, Sturm Graz, FCSB, and Nice. Finally, Pot 4 included Bologna, Celta Vigo, Stuttgart, Panathinaikos, Malmö, Go Ahead Eagles, Utrecht, Genk, and Brann. This stratification ensures a balanced distribution of teams across the groups, while also offering opportunities for lower-ranked teams to test themselves against higher-ranked opposition.
The full fixture list reveals the complexities and interwoven nature of the new format. Every team’s schedule is a mix of challenging away trips and crucial home games, demanding consistent performance throughout the league phase. The fixtures also highlight the geographical diversity of the competition, with teams travelling across the continent to face opponents with varying playing styles and tactical approaches. This adds another layer of complexity to the tournament, as teams need to adapt to different environments and playing conditions.
The revamped Europa League format promises a more engaging and unpredictable competition. With each match carrying significant weight in the final standings, teams will need to be at their best from the very first game. The draw has set the stage for a captivating season of European football, with established giants and emerging contenders vying for a coveted spot in the knockout stages. This new format promises to be a thrilling spectacle for football fans across the globe, showcasing the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of European club football.
