In this article, BraeckBall will take you through exactly when the UEFA Europa League draw is scheduled this season, how it works under the new format, key dates, pots, and what fans need to know to follow along. Whether you’re counting down the hours or just want clarity on the rules, we’ve got you covered.
What Is The Europa League Draw
The Europa League draw is when teams learn who they will face in the league phase (formerly called group stage), under the competition’s new format. Instead of fixed groups of four, there are 36 teams in a league phase where each club plays eight matches: four at home, four away, facing two teams.
When & Where The Draw Takes Place
- The draw for the 2025-26 Europa League league phase is set for Friday, 29 August 2025.
- It will start at 13:00 CEST (Central European Summer Time).
- Location: Monaco, at the Grimaldi Forum.
Format & Pot Draw Rules
Understanding the rules is crucial — they determine who plays who, and ensure fairness and variety. Here are the key elements:
Pots & Seeding
- The 36 clubs are divided into four pots, each of nine teams, based on their UEFA club coefficients.
- Pot 1 has the highest-ranked teams; Pot 4 has the lowest under this system.
Match-making in the League Phase
- Each team will face two opponents from each pot: one. Total of eight matches in league phase.
- No matches between clubs from the same national association. This prevents, for example, two English teams.
- Also, there’s a limit: a team can only be drawn against a maximum of two clubs from the same association throughout the league phase.
Digital / Automated Draw
- The draw is conducted digitally / with software, meaning the matchups plus home/away status are determined in a more automated way than old manual pots.
- The draw results are revealed pot by pot for clarity and suspense.
Key Dates & What Comes After
Here are the most important dates around the draw and what follows:
- 29 August 2025: League phase draw at 13:00 CEST in Monaco.
- 24-25 September 2025: Matchday 1 of the league phase begins.
- League phase runs through 29 January 2026, with multiple matchdays in between.
After league phase, teams ranked:
- 1st-8th → directly to round of 16.
- 9th-24th → compete in knockout phase play-offs.
- 25th-36th → eliminated.
Why The Changes Matter
These new rules make the competition more unpredictable and exciting:
- More variety: because each team faces opponents from all four pots, you can get tougher matchups even early on.
- More fairness: similar associations can’t face off too much.
- Digital draw = more transparent / less prone to scheduling quirks or delays.
Fans need to pay attention: placement in a pot is hugely important, because being in Pot 1 vs Pot 4 can shape how hard your league phase is.
How Fans Can Watch / Follow The Draw
To catch the UEFA Europa League draw, you can:
- Follow official UEFA platforms / livestreams.
- Tune into broadcast partners in your country.
- Follow sports news sites or social media for updates on which teams went into each pot.
Make sure you know your time zone difference (the draw is at 13:00 CEST; adjust for where you are).
Common Questions
Here are quick answers to things folks often ask:
- Will teams from the same country ever meet? No, not in the draw — the rules prevent direct matchups for clubs.
- How many games does each team play? Eight: four home, four away.
- What if there’s a tie in standings after the league phase? Tiebreakers include goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head criteria.
Conclusion
The UEFA Europa League draw for the 2025-26 league phase is your gateway into the drama, the big names, and the surprises to come. It happens on 29 August 2025 at 13:00 CEST in Monaco, with 36 clubs seeded into four pots, each playing eight matches under the new format. The draw sets the stage for everything: who has a tougher road, who might sneak into the knockout rounds, and which fixtures fans will circle on their calendars.
Want to stay ahead? BraeckBall suggests you mark your calendar, follow the draw live, and then check back for team-by-team analysis, predictions, and the full fixture list. Once the draw is made, we’ve got all the matchups and insights ready to go. Let’s gear up for an epic Europa season!
