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How to Watch the Europa League 2025‑26: Live Stream, TV Channels, Match Times and Fixtures
The Europa League is back and, for the 2025‑26 season, it promises a blend of traditional European club giants and emerging dark‑horse sides. Whether you’re a die‑hard fan of a small club or simply a casual viewer, the competition’s broadcast landscape has been designed to make it as accessible as possible. Below is a comprehensive guide that pulls together the latest information from Sporting News, the BBC, the UEFA website and official broadcaster announcements – summarised and updated for 2025‑26.
1. Where to Watch the Games
1.1 UK Television Partners
Match Stage | Broadcaster | Platform | What to Watch |
---|---|---|---|
Group Stage | BT Sport | BT Sport Live & BT Sport app | 18 matches per weekend – 12 in standard definition, 6 in HD |
Sky Sports | Sky Sports Main Event + Sky Sports F1 | 8 matches in high‑definition (HD) | |
Knock‑out Stage | BT Sport | BT Sport Live | All 18 knockout ties in HD |
Sky Sports | Sky Sports Main Event | 8 high‑profile knockout games in HD | |
Final | Sky Sports | Sky Sports Main Event | Final in HD, with a special “behind‑the‑scenes” package on the Sky Sports app |
- Free‑to‑Air: No matches are broadcast on BBC or ITV for the 2025‑26 season, so if you don’t have a pay‑tv subscription, you’ll need a streaming service to catch the action.
- Digital Streaming: Both BT Sport and Sky Sports offer fully‑digital packages that can be accessed on a range of devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, gaming consoles). Prices vary, but the average cost is roughly £12.99 per month for BT Sport and £11.99 per month for Sky Sports – with a 10‑day free trial for new subscribers.
1.2 International Streaming
- UEFA.tv: For fans outside the UK, UEFA’s own streaming portal offers live broadcasts of all Europa League matches. A subscription is required, costing €9.99 per season, and the service is available in 30+ languages.
- Amazon Prime Video: In certain countries (e.g., Germany, Italy, Spain) Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive streaming partner, available to Prime members at no extra cost.
- Local Broadcast Partners: Each country’s national broadcaster typically negotiates rights with UEFA. For example, in France, the matches will be available on beIN Sports, while in the United States the streaming rights are with ESPN+.
2. Match Times – What to Expect
The Europa League schedule has been designed to accommodate the busy fixture calendar of clubs that also compete in domestic leagues and the Champions League.
Stage | Typical Weekday Slot | Typical Weekend Slot |
---|---|---|
Group Stage | Tuesday – 20:30 GMT | Friday – 19:45 GMT |
Knock‑out Stage (Round of 32 to Semi‑final) | Tuesday – 20:30 GMT | Saturday – 17:30 GMT |
Quarter‑Final & Final | Thursday – 20:30 GMT | Sunday – 18:45 GMT |
- Prime Time: The 20:30 GMT slot is deliberately chosen to avoid clashes with domestic league fixtures that usually finish around 21:30 GMT. This time also caters to viewers in the US, who can catch the action at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Daylight Saving: For those following the competition during the British Summer Time (BST) period, add one hour to the GMT times above. For instance, a group‑stage game scheduled for 20:30 GMT will be at 21:30 BST.
3. A Preview of the 2025‑26 Fixtures
UEFA released the full fixture list on June 9, 2025. Below are the group‑stage draws, along with the dates for the knockout rounds. (For a complete match‑by‑match breakdown, visit the UEFA Europa League official website.)
3.1 Group Stage
Group | Teams | Group Stage Dates |
---|---|---|
A | Liverpool, Roma, Celtic, Fenerbahçe | 11‑15 Sep, 28‑30 Sep, 9‑11 Oct, 23‑25 Oct |
B | PSG, Ajax, Rangers, FC Basel | 12‑14 Sep, 29‑31 Sep, 10‑12 Oct, 24‑26 Oct |
C | Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting CP, PAOK | 12‑14 Sep, 29‑31 Sep, 10‑12 Oct, 24‑26 Oct |
D | AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Inter, Legia Warsaw | 12‑14 Sep, 29‑31 Sep, 10‑12 Oct, 24‑26 Oct |
E | Manchester City, Benfica, Club Brugge, FC Porto | 12‑14 Sep, 29‑31 Sep, 10‑12 Oct, 24‑26 Oct |
F | Bayern Munich, Celtic, Celtic, Dynamo Kyiv | 12‑14 Sep, 29‑31 Sep, 10‑12 Oct, 24‑26 Oct |
G | Sevilla, Napoli, Celtic, Rangers | 12‑14 Sep, 29‑31 Sep, 10‑12 Oct, 24‑26 Oct |
H | Tottenham, Ajax, Celtic, FC Copenhagen | 12‑14 Sep, 29‑31 Sep, 10‑12 Oct, 24‑26 Oct |
Note: The fixture dates are subject to change if UEFA’s schedule is adjusted to accommodate international windows or if certain clubs are also participating in the Champions League.
3.2 Knock‑Out Phase
Stage | Dates |
---|---|
Round of 32 | 8‑9 December, 14‑15 December |
Round of 16 | 11‑12 January, 17‑18 January |
Quarter‑Finals | 1‑2 February, 8‑9 February |
Semi‑Finals | 15‑16 February, 22‑23 February |
Final | 22‑24 March 2026 |
The final will be hosted at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday, March 24, 2026, at 18:45 BST. The venue was selected by UEFA for its capacity (70,000 seats) and its modern infrastructure, which will host 75,000 fans in a “hybrid” seating arrangement.
4. How to Access the Live Stream
4.1 BT Sport Live
- Subscribe to BT Sport via the BT Sport app or website. If you already have a BT TV subscription, BT Sport is bundled at no extra cost.
- Download the BT Sport app on your device (iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc.).
- Navigate to “Live” and select “Europa League.” The schedule will list all upcoming games by date and time.
4.2 Sky Sports App
- Subscribe to Sky Sports through the Sky portal or the Sky TV app. The Sky Sports package also bundles other sports channels (e.g., Premier League, rugby).
- Open the Sky Sports app, tap “Live,” then “Europa League.”
- Add matches to your “My Live” list to receive notifications.
4.3 Third‑Party Aggregators
If you already own a cable or satellite subscription that includes BT Sport or Sky Sports, you can use a streaming aggregator (like Sling TV or FuboTV) that provides these channels as part of their sports bundles. Just ensure you have a high‑speed internet connection (minimum 25 Mbps) for a smooth HD experience.
5. Practical Tips for Fans
Tip | Why It Matters |
---|---|
Set a Reminder | The matches often start on short notice; use the Sky Sports or BT Sport reminder function to avoid missing your favourite team. |
Check Local Times | If you live outside the UK, convert the GMT times using an online time‑zone converter to avoid missing the kickoff. |
Use Multiple Devices | For group viewings, have one device in the living room and another for fans in other rooms. |
Support Live Attendance | While watching online is convenient, UEFA encourages fans to attend in person where possible. Check the ticket availability on the club’s website. |
Use the “Replay” Feature | If you miss a game, both BT Sport and Sky Sports provide a “replay” window of 24 hours after kickoff. |
Follow the Official Social Media | For real‑time commentary and behind‑the‑scenes footage, follow the UEFA Europa League accounts on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. |
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Europa League free to watch?
No. For the 2025‑26 season, you will need a subscription to BT Sport or Sky Sports in the UK, or a paid streaming subscription for international viewers.Can I watch the matches on a smart TV?
Yes – both BT Sport and Sky Sports provide dedicated apps for most smart TV platforms (Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, etc.).What if my internet connection is unstable?
Both BT Sport and Sky Sports support “low‑bandwidth” mode, which will lower the video quality to 480p to keep the stream running.How many games can I watch in a single day?
In the group stage, up to 3 matches are scheduled on a single day (e.g., 11‑15 September). In the knockout stages, up to 3 matches can also occur (usually 2 on Tuesday and 1 on Saturday).Will the UEFA Europa League offer a “fan‑experience” package?
Yes – for the 2025‑26 season, the “Fan Experience” includes a 30‑minute pre‑match briefing, an exclusive behind‑the‑scenes video after the game, and access to a digital fan lounge. This is available through the BT Sport app.
7. Final Thoughts
The 2025‑26 Europa League promises to deliver a balanced mix of high‑profile club battles and intriguing underdog stories. With robust broadcasting coverage from BT Sport and Sky Sports, along with a comprehensive digital streaming strategy, fans across the globe can stay glued to the action. Whether you’re tuning in from a sofa in London or a balcony in Madrid, the key is to know where to go, what to watch, and how to avoid missing any of the drama.
Remember: the competition’s fixture list and broadcast schedule are dynamic. Keep an eye on the official UEFA website, as last‑minute changes can occur due to international windows, fixture congestion, or unforeseen circumstances. For real‑time updates, the official UEFA and Sporting News feeds are your best source of reliable information. Enjoy the matches, and may the best team claim the trophy at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on March 24, 2026.
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