Everything you need to know about the 2024/25 Europa League

The UEFA Europa League is entering a new phase with an expanded format, marking its 16th year since the rebranding. The competition, which spans across Europe, is set to conclude on May 21st, 2025. Below are essential details regarding the upcoming tournament.

What is the structure of the new format?
The Europa League phase will commence on September 25th, replacing the conventional group stage. Instead of the previous eight groups of four teams, all 36 participating teams will compete in a single, enlarged league.

Each team will play eight matches, which will be randomly assigned prior to the initial round of fixtures. This includes four home games and four away games, resulting in two additional matchdays scheduled after the winter break.

When will the initial main draw occur?
The draw for the league phase is scheduled for August 30th.

The top eight teams from the league phase will automatically advance to the round of 16 knockout stages.

Teams finishing in the ninth to 24th positions will enter the play-offs, competing for a chance to progress to the next round.

Subsequently, the tournament will proceed in a knockout format until the final, which will take place on May 25th at San Mames in Bilbao, Spain. All knockout rounds leading up to the final will consist of two-legged matches.

What are the dates for the league phase?
Matchday One: September 25/26, 2024

Matchday Two: October 3, 2024

Matchday Three: October 24, 2024

Matchday Four: November 7, 2024

Matchday Five: November 28, 2024

Matchday Six: December 12, 2024

Matchday Seven: January 23, 2025

Matchday Eight: January 30, 2025

What are the dates for the knockout phase?
Knockout round play-offs: February 13 and 20, 2025

Round of 16: March 6 and 13, 2025

Quarter-finals: April 10 and 17, 2025

Semi-finals: May 1 and 8, 2025

Final: May 21, 2025

Who currently holds the Europa League title?
Atalanta is the current champion, having triumphed over Bayer Leverkusen with a score of 3-0 in Dublin, thanks to a hat-trick from Ademola Lookman. However, they will not be able