UEFA Europa League Format

UEFA Europa League Qualifying

Tottenham Hotspur are drawn against Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta during the UEFA Europa League Draw at the Grimaldi Forum on August 31, 2007 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
First Qualifying Round: June
The new look Europa League qualifying format sees just four teams, those rated from 50th-53rd in the UEFA Rankings square off in the first qualifying round of the tournament.

Second Qualifying Round: June
The second qualifying round of the Europa League sees the two winners of the first qualifying round joined by 32 cup champions from some of UEFA’s lower ranked leagues.

Third Qualifying Round: July
The third qualifying round of the Europa League sees the 17 survivors from the second qualifying round joined by the three cup champions from the UEFA associations ranked 14th to 16th.

Third Qualifying Round for Non-Champions: July
The third qualifying round for non-champions offers the runners’-up from some of Europe’s tougher domestic cup competitions the opportunity to take a place in the Europa League playoffs.

Europa League Playoffs: August
In August the teams from the qualifying rounds take part in the two-legged Europa League playoffs. The 10 winners from the third qualifying round are joined by 5 clubs that finished in the top four of some of Europe’s most competitive domestic leagues, along with the 5 winners from the third qualifying round for non-champions.

UEFA Europa League Format

Group Stage: September - December
The 10 winners of the Europa League playoffs are joined by 13 cup champions from the highest rated UEFA associations, along with 6 runners-up from these association and 3 teams that finished 3rd in the highest rated European domestic leagues. These 32 clubs are divided into 8 groups. The top two points scorers in each group progress to the first knockout round of the Europa League.

First Knockout Round: December
The first knockout round of the Europa League sees the top 16 clubs form the group stage compete in 8 two-legged ties. The 8 winners progress to the quarterfinals.

Quarterfinals/Semi-Finals/Finals: March - May
The remaining 8 teams are reduced to two finalists over the course of the next two games. The final is a single game played at a neutral venue, with a penalty shootout used to determine a winner in the event of a draw.