Matches

The new UEFA Europa League comprises three qualifying rounds, a play-off round and a 48-team group stage, with five subsequent knockout rounds to be played in the spring.

Qualifying
In matches in the three qualifying rounds and the play-off stage, clubs play two matches against each other on a home and away basis, with the club scoring the greater aggregate of goals qualifying for the next round. In the event of both teams scoring the same number of goals, the team which scores more goals away qualifies.

Group stage
The group stage will see the 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four, who will face each other home and away in the autumn, with the top two sides in each section joining the eight third-placed sides from the UEFA Champions League group stage in the Round of 32.

Knockout phase
From the last 32 until the semi-finals, clubs play two matches against each other on a home and away basis with the same rules as the qualifying and play-off rounds applied.

Final
The final is decided by a single match - which this season will be played in Hamburg.