Europa League Quarter-Finals Set: Dates, Teams, and Road to Istanbul

The UEFA Europa League is heating up as the quarter-final matchups have been confirmed, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025-26 season. The competition culminates with the final at the Beşiktaş Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 20, 2026. Here’s a breakdown of the qualified teams, the schedule, and what to expect as we approach the final stages.

Qualified Teams

Round of 16

The following teams secured a direct entry into the Round of 16 as seeded teams:

• Lyon
• Aston Villa
• Midtjylland
• Real Betis
• Porto
• Braga
• SC Freiburg
• Roma

Play-off Winners

These teams successfully navigated the knockout phase play-offs to join the Round of 16:

• Genk
• Bologna
• VfB Stuttgart
• Ferencváros
• Nottingham Forest
• Viktoria Plzeň
• Red Star Belgrade
• Celta Vigo

Quarter-Final Schedule

The quarter-finals will be played across two legs on Thursday, April 11 and Thursday, April 18. The team drawn first will play the first leg at home. Nottingham Forest has already confirmed their place in the quarter-finals.

Key Dates

• Round of 16 Draw: February 27, 2026 UEFA.com
• Quarter-final First Legs: April 11, 2026
• Quarter-final Second Legs: April 18, 2026
• Semi-final Schedule Communication: March 20, 2026 UEFA.com
• Final: May 20, 2026, Beşiktaş Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey Wikipedia

Knockout Phase Format

Each tie in the knockout phase (excluding the final) is played over two legs, with each team hosting one match. The winner is determined by the aggregate score over both legs. If the aggregate score is tied, a 30-minute extra time period is played. The away goals rule is no longer in effect; if the score remains level after extra time, a penalty shoot-out decides the winner. The final is a single match, with extra time and a penalty shoot-out used to break any tie. Wikipedia

Looking Ahead

As the Europa League progresses, fans can anticipate intense competition and dramatic moments. With a diverse range of teams still in contention, the race to the final in Istanbul promises to be captivating. The quarter-final and semi-final draws will further shape the narrative, determining which clubs will battle for the coveted Europa League trophy.