The UEFA Europa League operates with a new format starting from the 2024–25 season, which consists of a league phase followed by knockout rounds.
League Phase
- A total of 36 teams compete in a single league table.
- Each team plays eight matches: four at home and four away.
- Teams face eight different opponents drawn from four pots based on UEFA club coefficients, ensuring a mix of stronger and weaker teams.
- Teams cannot face opponents from their own domestic league during this phase.
- After all eight matches, teams are ranked in one combined league table.
Qualification from the League Phase
- The top 8 teams in the league table advance directly to the Round of 16.
- Teams ranked 9th to 24th enter a knockout play-off round. Winners of these play-offs join the top 8 in the Round of 16.
- Teams ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated from the competition.
Knockout Phase
- The knockout phase includes:
- Knockout play-offs (for teams ranked 9th to 24th)
- Round of 16
- Quarter-finals
- Semi-finals
- Final (played as a single match at a neutral venue)
- All knockout ties except the final are played over two legs (home and away).
Additional Details
- The winner of the Europa League qualifies for the following season's UEFA Champions League group stage.
- Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss during the league phase.
- If teams finish level on points, tiebreakers include goal difference, goals scored, away goals, wins, and other criteria.
- Matches are typically played on Thursdays
This format replaces the previous group stage system with a more dynamic league phase and knockout structure.
