The UEFA Europa League will wrap up its playoff round with eight second legs on Thursday, Feb. 26.
The winners of the eight two-leg ties will join the eight that have already clinched a spot in the last 16 by virtue of finishing in the top eight of the league phase standings.
But which teams will face off in the round of 16? We will find that out at the draw on Friday, Feb. 27.
When is the Europa League round of 16 draw?
The draw will take place at 7 a.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 27 at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
The event will be available to stream live on UEFA.com, UEFA.tv and the official UEFA Europa League app.
How does the Europa League round of 16 draw work?
The eight teams that advance through the playoff round will enter the draw knowing they’ll face one of two teams.
For example, the winner between Nottingham Forest and Fenerbahçe knows that Real Betis and Midtjylland are the only two possible opponents they can draw.
The sides that finished in the top eight of the league phase will be seeded, meaning they get to play the second leg of their last-16 ties at home.
Teams can be drawn against opponents from their country, as well as teams they faced in the league phase.
Friday will be the last draw of this year’s Europa League. After the round of 16 draw, teams will be placed in a bracket with their potential opponents throughout the rest of the tournament already set.
2026 Europa League bracket
Knockout playoffs
Scores after first leg
- Genk (3) vs. (1) Dinamo Zagreb
- Bologna (1) vs. (0) Brann
- Stuttgart (4) vs. (1) Celtic
- Ferencváros (1) vs. (2) Ludogorets
- Nottingham Forest (3) vs. (0) Fenerbahçe
- Viktoria Plzeň (2) vs. (2) Panathinaikos
- PAOK (1) vs. (2) Celta Vigo
- Lille (0) vs. (1) Red Star Belgrade
Round of 16 pairings
- Genk/Dinamo Zagreb vs. Freiburg or Roma
- Bologna/Brann vs. Freiburg or Roma
- Stuttgart/Celtic vs. Braga or Porto
- Ferencváros/Ludogorets vs. Braga or Porto
- Nottingham Forest/Fenerbahçe vs. Real Betis or Midtjylland
- Viktoria Plzeň/Panathinaikos vs. Real Betis or Midtjylland
- PAOK/Celta Vigo vs. Lyon or Aston Villa
- Lille/Red Star Belgrade vs. Lyon or Aston Villa
Europa League knockout round schedule
- Round of 16: March 12 and 19
- Quarterfinals: April 9 and 16
- Semifinals: April 30 and May 7
When is the Europa League final?
The 2026 Europa League final will be played on May 20 at Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul, Turkey. Kickoff will be at 3 p.m. ET.
How to watch Europa League
Watch the Europa League on Paramount+
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