Europa League 2025/26: Key Matches, New Format, and Rising Tensions

The Europa League 2025/26 season has started under a revamped format, bringing new excitement, storylines, and challenges across Europe. With a league-phase replacing the traditional group stage, every fixture now holds extra weight in the race to Istanbul’s final on May 20, 2026.

Europa League 2025/26 Format Overhaul

The competition now follows an incomplete round-robin model:

• 36 clubs compete in one table

• Each team plays 8 matches (4 home, 4 away)

• Top 8 qualify directly for the Round of 16

• Teams ranked 9th–24th enter play-offs

This UEFA Europa League format is designed to deliver tighter contests and greater unpredictability.

Aston Villa’s Revival Mission

Aston Villa hope European nights can reignite their season. Manager Unai Emery, a proven specialist in this competition, leads his team against Bologna in their opening clash. Scouts from Sunderland are also monitoring Villa’s defensive star Jhon Lucumí.

Nottingham Forest Back on the European Stage

For the first time since 1996, Nottingham Forest return to Europe. They open against Real Betis, with manager Ange Postecoglou drawing on the club’s rich European history. Notably, record signing Omari Hutchinson has been left out of the Europa League squad.

Political Tensions Mark PAOK vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

Security concerns dominated headlines in Thessaloniki as PAOK hosted Maccabi Tel Aviv. Demonstrations erupted outside the stadium, with police deploying bomb-sniffing dogs and making arrests amid protests over Israeli participation.

Kit Drama for FC Basel

UEFA rules forced FC Basel to adopt a special Europa League kit, featuring white, grey, and black. The shirt is competition-exclusive and unavailable for retail, highlighting the governing body’s strict uniform policies.

As the Europa League draw unfolds, fans await thrilling fixtures, unexpected upsets, and the battle for Istanbul’s grand finale.