2025/26 Conference League: Format, dates, draws, final

The fifth edition of the UEFA Conference League is under way in 2025/26. After a successful debut, the new format returned for its second season on 10 July and runs until the final in Leipzig on 27 May 2026.

Please note that dates are subject to change.

How did 2025/26 Conference League qualifying work?

The stage at which teams enter qualifying was based on their association club coefficient rankings. All ties are played over two legs.

When were the 2025/26 Conference League qualifiers?

First qualifying round: 10 & 17 July 2025
Second qualifying round: 24 & 31 July 2025
Third qualifying round: 7 & 14 August 2025
Play-offs: 21 & 28 August 2025

Which teams are in the league phase of the 2025/26 Conference League?

Armenia: Noah
Austria: SK Rapid
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Zrinjski
Croatia: Rijeka
Cyprus: AEK Larnaca, Omonoia
Czechia: Sigma Olomouc, Sparta Praha
England: Crystal Palace
Finland: KuPS Kuopio
France: Strasbourg
Germany: Mainz
Gibraltar: Lincoln Red Imps
Greece: AEK Athens
Iceland: Breidablik
Italy: Fiorentina
Kosovo: Drita
Malta: Hamrun Spartans
Netherlands: AZ Alkmaar
North Macedonia: Shkëndija
Poland: Jagiellonia Białystok, Lech Poznań, Legia Warszawa, Raków Częstochowa
Republic of Ireland: Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne
Romania: Universitatea Craiova
Scotland: Aberdeen
Slovakia: Slovan Bratislava
Slovenia: Celje
Spain: Rayo Vallecano
Sweden: Häcken
Switzerland: Lausanne-Sport
Türkiye: Samsunspor
Ukraine: Dynamo Kyiv, Shakhtar Donetsk

All 36 teams enter the league phase via qualifying, with none directly placed.

When are the 2025/26 Conference League league phase matches?

Matchday 1: 2 October 2025
Matchday 2: 23 October 2025
Matchday 3: 6 November 2025
Matchday 4: 27 November 2025
Matchday 5: 11 December 2025
Matchday 6: 18 December 2025

When are the knockout phase matches in the 2025/26 Conference League?

Knockout phase play-offs: 19 & 26 February 2026
Round of 16: 12 & 19 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 9 & 16 April 2026
Semi-finals: 30 April & 7 May 2026
Final: 27 May 2026 (Leipzig)

When are the 2025/26 Conference League draws?

First qualifying round: 17 June 2025
Second qualifying round: 18 June 2025
Third qualifying round: 21 July 2025
Play-offs: 4 August 2025
League phase: 29 August 2025
Knockout phase play-offs: TBC
Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final: 27 February 2026

Leipzig Stadium prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 game between Croatia and ItalyUEFA via Getty Images

When and where is the 2026 Conference League final?

Leipzig Stadium in Leipzig, Germany, is the venue for the Conference League final on 27 May 2026. The 47,000-capacity stadium staged five games at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and four at UEFA EURO 2024, including the dramatic 1-1 draw between Croatia and Italy in Group B.

What do the Conference League winners get?

The Conference League trophy is 57.5cm tall and weighs 11kg.

The 2025/26 winners also gain a place in the league phase of the 2026/27 Europa League if they have not qualified via their domestic competition.