Europa League new format explained: Everything you need to know for 2024/25

The Europa League is back for 2024/25 – but there are several changes to this season’s competition that you will want to know about.

Europe’s secondary competition was once rebuffed as pointless by some of the continent’s big clubs, but recent successes and the bonus of the winners qualifying for the Champions League have added stature.

Manchester United and Tottenham are the two clubs from the Premier League in the tournament this year, and given a tight race to finish in the top four is expected, both will want to win this.

For the first time, there will be no group stage, with the 36 participants all competing in a single league phase.

Teams also don’t have to worry about big sides dropping down from the Champions League as this has been scrapped.

You can find all the latest Europa League odds on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise here’s a full breakdown of the new format.

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What is the new Europa League format?

The new format will see each side play eight games in the league phase – four at home and four away – against eight different opponents, two from each of the four seeded pots.

The top eight teams will automatically qualify for the last 16, with the sides ranked ninth to 24th competing in a play-off for their place in the round.

Any club finishing 25th or below will be eliminated from all European competitions.

Which teams have qualified for the Europa League?

Netherlands (3): Ajax, AZ, Twente
Türkiye (3): Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray
Belgium (2): Anderlecht, Union Saint-Gilloise
Czechia (2): Slavia Praha, Viktoria Plzeň
England (2): Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
France (2): Nice, Lyon
Germany (2): Eintracht Frankfurt, Hoffenheim
Greece (2): Olympiacos, PAOK
Italy (2): Lazio, Roma
Portugal (2): Braga, Porto
Spain (2): Athletic Club, Real Sociedad
Sweden (2): Elfsborg, Malmö
Azerbaijan (1): Qarabağ
Bulgaria (1): Ludogorets
Denmark (1): Midtjylland
Hungary (1): Ferencváros
Israel (1): M. Tel-Aviv
Latvia (1): RFS
Norway (1): Bodø/Glimt
Romania (1): FCSB
Scotland (1): Rangers
Ukraine (1): Dynamo Kyiv

What are the Europa League match dates?

The league phase will last until January.

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

When are the Europa League knockout stages?

Play-Offs: 13 & 20 February, 2025
Last 16: 6 & 13 March, 2025
Quarter-Finals: 10 & 17 April, 2025
Semi-Finals: 1 & 8 May, 2025
Final: 21 May, 2025

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