The 2025/26 UEFA Conference League is progressing nicely, with the quarter-finals fast approaching. Here’s all the essential information regarding the teams still in contention, the workings of the draws, and vital dates for the remainder of the season.
Overview of the Conference League Draws
The draw for the league stage of the Conference League occurred on August 29 in Monaco, immediately after the Europa League draw. A total of 36 clubs were included in the draw, divided into six pots of six teams according to UEFA’s club coefficient rankings.
In a shift from the format used in previous seasons, where teams were drawn manually one by one, this year’s draw was conducted using a computer-generated system. All pairings and home/away ties for the 36 teams were determined at once but were revealed pot by pot.
Each team was assigned one opponent from each pot, resulting in one home and one away match for each pair from Pots 1 and 2, Pots 3 and 4, and Pots 5 and 6. Clubs were not allowed to compete against teams from their own association, limiting them to a maximum of two teams from the same association.
The draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final took place on February 27. The top eight teams from the league stage earned automatic passage into the round of 16.
The remaining teams in the Conference League (by league-phase position):
1. Strasbourg (FRA), 5. Rayo Vallecano (ESP), 6. Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR), 10. Crystal Palace (ENG)
Results from the Round of 16:
Lech Poznan 3-4 Shakhtar
AZ 6-1 Sparta Prague
Crystal Palace 2-1 AEK Larnaca
Fiorentina 4-2 Rakow
Samsunspor 2-3 Rayo Vallecano
Celje 2-4 AEK Athens
Sigma Olomouc 0-2 Mainz
Rijeka 2-3 Strasbourg
Quarter-final Matchups:
Quarter-final 1: Shakhtar 5-2 AZ
Quarter-final 2: Crystal Palace 4-2 Fiorentina
Quarter-final 3: Rayo Vallecano 4-3 AEK Athens
Quarter-final 4: Mainz 2-4 Strasbourg
The Semi-final Draw:
Semi-final 1: Shakhtar vs Crystal Palace
Semi-final 2: Rayo Vallecano vs Strasbourg
Important Dates for the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League
First matchday of the League Phase: October 2
Last matchday of the League Phase: December 18
Draw for Knockout Playoffs: January 16, 2026
Knockout Playoffs: February 19 (first legs), February 26 (second legs)
Final Draw (for Round of 16 and onwards): February 27, 2026
Round of 16: March 12 (first legs), March 19 (second legs)
Quarter-finals: April 9 (first legs), April 16 (second legs)
Semi-finals: April 30 (first legs), May 7 (second legs)
Final: May 27
Where & When is the 2025/26 Conference League Final?
The Conference League final is set to take place at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena, Germany, on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. With a seating capacity of 47,800, it is the largest stadium in Eastern Germany. Due to UEFA’s sponsorship guidelines, the venue is referred to as the ‘RB Arena’ for European matches.
The victorious team from the final will progress to the league phase of the 2026/27 Europa League, unless they have qualified for the Champions League through other means.
Understanding the Format of the UEFA Conference League
Before the last season, a significant revamp of UEFA’s cup competitions took place. The traditional group stage format has been replaced with a 36-team ‘League Phase’ across all competitions.
This season in the Conference League mirrors the previous one, with each of the 36 teams competing in six matches during the League Phase (in contrast to the Champions League and Europa League, where teams play eight matches).
The best eight teams at the end of the League Phase secure their place in the round of 16, while the bottom eight teams are eliminated. The teams finishing between ninth and 24th will head into the knockout playoff round to determine the final eight teams in the round of 16.
After the knockout playoff round, a final draw will occur for the knockout stages.
During the round of 16, the top eight (seeded) clubs will be drawn against the unseeded teams. The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final will follow the standard cup competition format.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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