The Europa League is set to begin its 2024/25 season with a fresh new format, mirroring changes seen in the Champions League. This season will feature 36 teams in a single league, with clubs playing eight different opponents as they aim to progress to the knockout rounds. The draw, which will determine the teams’ initial matchups, is scheduled for Friday at 12 PM UK time.
Among the teams eagerly awaiting their opponents are Manchester United, who qualified by winning the FA Cup, and Tottenham Hotspur, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season. Both teams are set to face a unique challenge in this newly formatted league structure.
In this new format, every team will face eight different opponents—playing one match at home and one away. An extra play-off round has been introduced before the round of 16. Clubs from the same country are separated in the league phase to ensure a diverse competition. Additionally, no team will play more than two opponents from any other single nation, adding a layer of complexity to the fixture list.
Teams that finish between the ninth and 24th positions in the league will enter a two-legged play-off round to earn a spot in the last 16. Those who finish between 25th and 36th will be eliminated from the competition, ending their European journey for the season.
