The UEFA Europa League, often abbreviated as UEL, is an annual football club competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The UEFA Europa League runs from late summer to spring, starting with qualifying rounds from June to August, followed by the group stage from September to December, where 36 teams compete in eight groups. The knockout rounds occur from February to May, culminating in the final in May. The champion not only wins the trophy but also secures a spot in the next season's UEFA Champions League.
How Will the New Europa League Format Work?
The new tournament format expands the group stages from 32 to 36 teams, providing more opportunities for European clubs to compete. Instead of traditional groups, the teams will play in a single league table with eight matches each, leading to the top eight automatically advancing to the knockout rounds. Additionally, the knockout rounds will now feature single-leg ties starting from the Round of 16, replacing the previous two-legged format.
Where Can I Watch Europa League?
In the UK, TNT Sports have exclusivity to show UEFA Europa League fixtures until 2027. Due to the UEL expanding to 36 teams, their coverage will now include 189 games a season, an increase from 141 under the old format.
Looking to keep up to date with all upcoming football fixtures and not just for the UEL? Visit our Live Football on TV guide to view matches across all competitions and teams.