2025–26 UEFA Europa League Knockout Draw: Top Teams Seeded, High-Stakes Play-Offs Set – Sportsphere24

The 2025–26 UEFA Europa League draw has set up an intriguing knockout bracket under the new league-phase format, with eight top teams seeded straight into the round of 16 and 16 others battling through high-stakes play-off ties. The knockout play-off draw takes place today, 30 January 2026, in Nyon, determining the road to the final at Beşiktaş Stadium, Istanbul.

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Who is Already in the Last 16?

Eight clubs finished in the top eight of the league-phase table, earning automatic seeding into the round of 16. These teams avoid the play-offs and will face winners from the play-off round:

• Lyon (1st)

• Aston Villa (2nd)

• Midtjylland (3rd)

• Real Betis (4th)

• Porto (5th)

• Braga (6th)

• SC Freiburg (7th)

• Roma (8th)

All eight seeded sides will host the second leg, providing a crucial home advantage in high-pressure knockout ties.

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Teams in the Knockout Play-Off Draw

The play-off draw features teams finishing 9th–24th in the league phase, split into seeded (9–16) and unseeded (17–24) groups. Seeded clubs host the second leg and can only be paired with one of two possible unseeded opponents within their bracket section.

Seeded sides include:

• Genk (9th)

• Bologna (10th)

• Stuttgart (11th)

• Ferencváros (12th)

• Nottingham Forest (13th)

• Viktoria Plzeň (14th)

• Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade)

• Celta Vigo

Unseeded teams include:

• PAOK (Greece)

• Lille (France)

• Fenerbahçe (Turkey)

• Panathinaikos (Greece)

• Celtic (Scotland)

• Ludogorets (Bulgaria)

• Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)

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Draw Mechanics and Bracket

The Europa League now mirrors the Champions League’s league-phase knockout format:

• Seeded vs unseeded matchups in a pre-set bracket

• Seeded teams host the second leg

• Round of 16 matches see the eight league-phase seeds (Lyon, Aston Villa, Midtjylland, Real Betis, Porto, Braga, Freiburg, Roma) face play-off winners

Illustrative bracket (subject to play-off results):

• Pairing A: 1st/2nd vs Winner of “Section IV” play-off

• Pairing B: 3rd/4th vs Winner of “Section III”

• Pairing C: 5th/6th vs Winner of “Section II”

• Pairing D: 7th/8th vs Winner of “Section I”

Quarter-finals: Winner A vs Winner D; Winner B vs Winner C

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Key Dates for the Europa League Knockouts

• Knockout play-off draw: 30 January 2026, 13:00 CET

• Knockout play-offs:

  • First legs: 19 February 2026

  • Second legs: 26 February 2026

• Round of 16 draw: 27 February 2026

• Round of 16:

  • First legs: 12 March 2026

  • Second legs: 19 March 2026

• Quarter-finals & semi-finals: April–May 2026

• Final: 20 May 2026, Beşiktaş Stadium, Istanbul

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Sportsphere24 Take

Even before the play-off pairings are confirmed, the 2025–26 Europa League knockout bracket promises drama and excitement. With powerhouse clubs like Aston Villa, Real Betis, Lyon, and Roma seeded, and high-stakes play-offs featuring teams like Nottingham Forest, Ferencváros, and Fenerbahçe, fans are in for a thrilling road to Istanbul.

Once the exact play-off winners are known, Sportsphere24 will break down key ties, tactical previews, and potential dark horses, ensuring readers stay ahead in the Europa League race