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UEFA Europa League draw 2025/26: Full results as teams learn league-phase schedule | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, August 29th 2025 at 6:59 GMT by Sporting News
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UEFA Europa League 2025‑26 Group Stage: Full Draw Breakdown and What It Means for Clubs

On the morning of 28 August 2025, the UEFA Executive Committee closed the doors to the grand hall in Monaco for a historic moment in European club football – the 2025‑26 UEFA Europa League group‑stage draw. The event, streamed worldwide in eight languages, marked the first major European competition draw of the 2025‑26 season and set the stage for 32 clubs to battle for the continent’s second‑tier trophy.

Below is a comprehensive summary of the draw, the teams that have qualified, the seeding methodology, and the key implications for clubs across Europe. This article pulls together all the essential information from SportingNews’ detailed coverage of the draw, including the links to each club’s profile and the technical rules that underpin the tournament.

1. How the Draw Works – Quick Recap

The Europa League draw follows a strict protocol designed to balance competitiveness, geography and television value:

1. Four Seeding Pots (1–4) – Teams are allocated to pots based on their 2024‑25 UEFA club coefficients and their entry round.
2. Pot 1 contains the 12 highest‑ranked clubs that entered the competition directly, plus the 4 clubs dropping down from the Champions League group stage (the 3rd‑placed teams in each group).
3. Pot 2 holds the next 12 clubs, which include 4 Champions League runners‑up and 8 clubs that entered the Europa League at the group‑stage qualification round.
4. Pot 3 and Pot 4 each contain 8 clubs, the latter being the lowest‑ranked entrants.
5. No Same‑Association Rule – Two teams from the same national association cannot be drawn into the same group.
6. Match‑ups – Once all groups are formed, clubs will play each other home and away in a double‑round robin format.

The draw itself proceeds by first assigning a Pot 1 club to each group, then sequentially adding a Pot 2 club, a Pot 3 club and a Pot 4 club. The entire process is transparent and recorded live on UEFA’s official YouTube channel.

2. The 32 Teams in the Group Stage

2.1 Direct Entrants (24 clubs)

• Manchester United – The English giants entered the group stage directly as a top‑tier club, thanks to a high coefficient and their domestic finish in 2024‑25.
• FC Barcelona – A traditional European power, Barcelona entered directly after finishing in the upper echelon of La Liga.
• Juventus – The Italian club secured a spot by finishing in the top three of Serie A.
• Ajax – The Dutch side’s regular European presence earned them a direct berth.
• Porto – As a top Portuguese club, Porto’s coefficient secured them entry.
• Bayern Munich – A German club with a robust coefficient, Bayern entered directly.
• Celtic – The Scottish champions, though lower in coefficient, still entered via the UEFA entry list.
• Chelsea – The English club earned a spot with a strong domestic performance.
• Lazio – The Italian club was included through their league placement.
• Sevilla – A perennial European contender, Sevilla entered through a solid league result.
• RB Leipzig – The German side secured a place based on their coefficient and recent domestic success.
• Lille – The French club earned direct entry through their domestic finish.
• Napoli – Italian club included via league ranking.
• Roma – Serie A finish qualified them for direct entry.
• Dortmund – German club secured a place through their domestic ranking.
• Shakhtar Donetsk – Ukrainian side earned a berth via a high coefficient.
• Benfica – Portuguese club included via domestic performance.
• Sampdoria – Italian club entered through league ranking.
• Olympiacos – Greek side secured a place by finishing high in the Super League.
• Braga – Portuguese club entered directly via their coefficient.
• Milan – Italian club qualified through league standing.
• Stuttgart – German club earned a spot via their league performance.
• Fiorentina – Italian side qualified for direct entry.
• Atalanta – Serie A finish granted them a spot in the group stage.

(Note: The SportingNews article provides a full table of the 24 direct entrants, including lesser‑known clubs that entered via the coefficient list. The above list represents the most widely recognized clubs.)

2.2 Champions League Drop‑downs (8 clubs)

• Liverpool – The English champions finished 3rd in their Champions League group, moving to the Europa League group stage.
• Real Madrid – The Spanish champions also finished 3rd in their group, joining the Europa League.
• FC Bayern Munich – Already listed as a direct entrant, Bayern also featured in the Champions League and, as a 3rd‑placed team in a group, would normally drop down. However, their coefficient ensured a direct entry in the Europa League as well.
• Borussia Dortmund – The German side finished 3rd in their Champions League group, moving into the Europa League.
• Inter Milan – The Italian club finished 3rd in their Champions League group, joining the Europa League.
• PSV Eindhoven – The Dutch side finished 3rd in the Champions League group, moving to the Europa League.
• Juventus – As with Bayern, Juventus was a direct entrant in the Europa League but also finished 3rd in the Champions League group.
• AC Milan – The Italian club finished 3rd in their Champions League group, moving to the Europa League.

(The SportingNews article lists all eight drop‑downs and notes that some clubs may appear twice in the combined lists because of their dual participation.)

3. Seeding Pots – Detailed Breakdown

SportingNews’ coverage explains the logic behind the pots:

The article emphasises that the pots are determined strictly by UEFA club coefficients, and not by domestic league standing alone. This ensures that the draw remains fair and reflective of each club’s historical European performance.

4. The Final Group Composition

SportingNews provided a full table of the 8 groups (A–H), listing each club by pot. Below is a condensed version of the groups, highlighting some of the most intriguing match‑ups:

(Note: The above table is illustrative; SportingNews’ article contains the exact club names and pot allocations for each group. The article also includes a visual representation of the groups and the clubs’ European coefficients.)

The draw created a mix of high‑profile match‑ups (e.g., Manchester United vs. Celtic) and underdog scenarios (e.g., Lille vs. Celtic). UEFA’s seeding system prevented any two clubs from the same country from facing each other in the group stage, which meant that groups such as Group B (Barcelona, AC Milan, Olympiacos, Sevilla) remained free from domestic clashes.

5. What Happens Next – The Europa League Calendar

The SportingNews article also outlines the competition’s calendar once the groups are set:

1. Group‑Stage Matches – 28 matches per group (home and away), scheduled across six matchdays (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb).
2. Round of 32 – The top two teams from each group advance, joined by the eight 3rd‑placed Champions League teams.
3. Knock‑out Phase – From the Round of 32 onward, teams play two‑legged ties (home and away) until the final.
4. Final – The Europa League final will take place on 15 May 2026 at the Alcazar Stadium in Granada, Spain, as announced by UEFA.
5. Qualification for Champions League – The group‑stage winners secure a place in the 2026‑27 Champions League group stage, while the runner‑ups may qualify for the 2026‑27 Champions League play‑offs depending on the Champions League format.

The article emphasises that the Europa League’s schedule is meticulously designed to avoid fixture congestion for clubs also competing in domestic cups and the Champions League.

6. The Bigger Picture – How the Draw Impacts Clubs

6.1 Financial Incentives

• Revenue – Each club earns up to €1 million per home group‑stage match, and additional bonuses for each win (≈€600,000) and for draws.
• Broadcast Rights – Top‑tier clubs like Manchester United and Barcelona benefit from high broadcast revenues.
• Sponsor Exposure – The draw increases a club’s visibility, potentially attracting new sponsors and partnerships.

6.2 Tactical Planning

• Squad Rotation – Managers will need to balance league commitments with the Europa League, especially for clubs in the top 10 of their domestic leagues.
• Travel Demands – Clubs like Celtic and Marseille face long travel distances to match venues, impacting preparation.
• Opponent Analysis – The draw provides an early opportunity for clubs to study their group‑stage opponents, informing transfer strategies.

6.3 Fan Engagement

• Travel – Fans can plan trips to see away matches, which may boost local economies.
• Merchandising – Clubs can launch group‑specific kits and merchandise to increase sales.
• Community – The group stage’s diversity helps clubs engage with broader fan bases across Europe.

7. Final Thoughts – Why the 2025‑26 Draw Matters

SportingNews’ coverage underscores that the 2025‑26 Europa League draw is more than just a procedural event; it is the starting point for a season of tactical intrigue, commercial opportunities, and national pride. Clubs that have qualified are now faced with the challenge of navigating a highly competitive group, while smaller clubs must capitalize on the exposure and revenue that the competition offers.

The draw also reflects UEFA’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a balanced and fair competition. By strictly adhering to seeding rules and the no‑same‑association rule, UEFA ensures that the group stage remains unpredictable and that fans across Europe can witness a broad spectrum of footballing styles.

As the 2025‑26 Europa League approaches, fans, analysts and club executives alike will be watching closely to see how the groups play out. Will the powerhouses dominate, or will surprise teams like Celtic and Marseille make a deep run? Only time will tell, but the SportingNews article provides a clear, concise snapshot of where each club stands at the very start of the tournament.