The remaining 16 teams in the Europa League will discover their next opponents when the draw is made for the 2025/26 knockout phase.
Eight teams went through automatically after the league phase, followed by eight who won two-legged knockout phase play-off ties.
French giants Lyon topped the table ahead of Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa, joined by the likes of former Champions League winners Porto.
Here’s what you need to know about the Europa League knockout stage draw 2025/26, including how to watch live.
Ortega denies Fenerbahçe 😳#UEL | @NFFC pic.twitter.com/Z0vteIL4uH
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 21, 2026
When is the Europa League draw for the last 16?
The draw for the rest of the competition will be held on Friday, February 27 2026 in Nyon, Switzerland.
Check out the full Europa League knockout stage bracket.
What time is the Europa League knockout draw 2025/26?
The ceremony will start at 12:00 GMT (07:00 ET / 04:00 PT).
Where to watch the Europa League draw: TV channel, live online stream
The draw will be shown live on on UEFA’s website, UEFA.tv and the official Europa League app.
Europa League knockout stage draw: Can English clubs meet?
Clubs from the same country are not separated, so Premier League clubs, for example, could be drawn against each other.
Sides who faced each other during this season’s group stage could also meet again.
Europa League schedule 2025/26
In a change from the previous group stage held until 2023/24, each team played eight matches in the league phase of the Europa League, all against different opponents.
The top eight sides in the table qualified automatically for the round of 16. The teams finishing in ninth to 24th competed in a two-legged knockout phase play-off to reach the last 16.
Teams finishing 25th or lower were out of Europe for the season.
| Stage | Dates |
| Knockout phase play-offs | February 19 & 26 |
| Round of 16 | March 12 & 19 |
| Quarter-finals | April 9 & 16 |
| Semi-finals | April 30 and May 7 |
| Final | May 20 2026 |
Who will win the 2025/26 Europa League?
Before the second legs of the knockout phase play-offs, Villa were warm favourites with bookmakers to add to the European Cup – now the Champions League – title they won in 1981/82.
Roma were second-favourites, and the Italian heavyweights reached the final of the UEFA Cup – now the Europa League – during the 1990/91 and 2022/23 seasons.
Porto, Lyon, Real Betis, Nottingham Forest and Bologna were also among the contenders according to the odds, but there are certain to be plenty of surprises during the rest of the knockout stage.
Bodo/Glimt, who knocked Inter out of this season’s Champions League, beat Lazio on penalties to reach the semi-finals last time out.
Lyon also shared an extraordinary quarter-final with 2016/17 champions Manchester United, drawing their home first leg 2-2 before going out 7-6 on aggregate after the Red Devils won the return match 5-4 following extra time.
Holders Tottenham, who are in the Champions League this season, also showed that domestic troubles need not act as a form guide in Europe.
Spurs finished a place above the Premier League relegation zone but beat United in the final, winning their first European title since 1983/84.
