Europa League format: Everything you need to know about the new system

Europa League format is set to change in the 2024/25 season with the tournament set to adopt a Swiss Model from next season and beyond.

The Champions League remains the biggest European competition but no one can underestimate the drama and prestige that comes with playing in the Europa League.

Over the years, the competition has continued to grow stronger and bigger. The 2024/25 Europa League is set for a new dawn with the introduction of a new format called the ‘Swiss Model’.

Europa League format: 2024/25 Swiss Model

From 2024/25, 36 teams will qualify for what UEFA are calling a ‘league stage’. There are no more groups and a team’s position in the league table will instead determine whether they progress into the knockout rounds.

Each team will play eight league stage games – four apiece home and away. The top eight will advance directly into the round of 16, with teams finishing between ninth and 24th qualifying for the knockout play-off round.

The remaining teams are eliminated and do not drop into the Conference League. The eight winners of the play-off ties will join the top eight in the last 16.

From that stage on, the usual knockout format will ensue. Two legs – home and away – up until the final in Bilbao.

Europa League format: How will the Europa League league stage draw work

The 36 qualified teams are divided into four pots of nine based on their UEFA coefficients. Teams  won’t be drawn into groups of four, instead, the draw will determine their eight league stage opponents. Each team will be drawn against two teams from all four pots.

2024/25 Europa League league stage fixtures?

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