The new look of European football is in full swing, and the UEFA Conference League is set to take center stage once again. The 2025/26 season marks the fifth edition of Europe's third-tier club competition and the second year of its innovative league phase format. As teams battle through the final qualifying rounds, anticipation is building for the upcoming league phase draw. Here is your in-depth guide to everything you need to know about the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League.
The New Format: A Swiss-Style League
Gone are the days of the traditional 32-team group stage. Following its successful introduction last season, the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League will feature a single 36-team league phase, often referred to as the "Swiss model."
In this new system, each team will play six matches against six different opponents—three at home and three away. The opponents are determined by a seeding system, where teams from each of the six pots are drawn against each other. The key difference is that every team is part of one large league table, not segmented into smaller groups.
After all six matchdays, the final league table will determine each team's fate:
Top 8 Teams: These clubs will automatically qualify for the knockout phase round of 16, securing a bye and a significant advantage in the competition.
Teams Ranked 9th to 24th: These clubs will enter a two-legged knockout play-off round to determine who joins the top eight in the round of 16.
Teams Ranked 25th to 36th: These teams are eliminated from the competition.
This format ensures every match has meaning and increases the excitement, as teams fight for every position in the table.
Play-Offs and Potential League Phase Teams
The play-off round is the final hurdle before the league phase. This round features 48 teams competing for just 24 spots. They will be joined by 12 teams eliminated from the UEFA Europa League play-off round to complete the 36-team league phase.
While the final list of 36 teams isn't confirmed until after the play-off matches on August 28, we can project some of the key players based on their performances in the qualifying rounds and their club coefficients.
Teams already in the play-offs or with a high chance of making it include:
England: We'll see the winner of the domestic cup, which for the 2024/25 season was Nottingham Forest, though they face stiff competition in their play-off tie.
Italy: Last year's finalists, Fiorentina, are a strong contender and look to finally lift the trophy after two heartbreaking final losses in recent years.
Spain: Rayo Vallecano de Madrid will represent Spain's strong domestic league.
Germany: Mainz are a strong German team with a good shot at making the league phase.
France: Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace represent France.
These teams will be joined by other European regulars, many of whom have battled through several qualifying rounds. Some of the notable pairings from the play-off round draw on August 4 include:
AZ Alkmaar vs FC Vaduz
RSC Anderlecht vs FC Sheriff Tiraspol
Rayo Vallecano vs a team to be determined
AC Sparta Praha vs FC Ararat-Armenia
Projecting the Pots: The Seeding Breakdown
The draw for the league phase will take place on Friday, August 29. The 36 teams will be sorted into six pots based on their UEFA club coefficient rankings. This seeding is crucial as each team will play one opponent from each of the six pots.
While we can't confirm the final pot allocations, a look at the qualifying teams' coefficients gives us a good idea of how the pots might shake out.
Pot 1 (Top Seeds): This pot will feature the highest-ranked teams, likely including strong teams from the top European leagues and those with impressive recent form. Teams like AZ Alkmaar, Anderlecht, and maybe some of the higher-ranked teams dropping down from the Europa League will populate this pot.
Pot 2 & 3 (Mid-Tier): These pots will be a mix of established teams and strong challengers from leagues across the continent. This is where we might see teams like Fiorentina, Brøndby IF, and other clubs who have consistently performed well in European competitions.
Pot 4, 5, & 6 (The Underdogs and Rising Stars): These pots will feature the teams with lower coefficients, many of whom have fought hard through multiple qualifying rounds. This is where the true heart of the Conference League lies, as these teams provide the biggest upsets and most memorable stories. Clubs like Kĺ Klaksvík from the Faroe Islands or NK Celje from Slovenia, who have shown their strength in the qualifiers, could be real dark horses.
Key Dates and Schedule
Mark your calendars! The journey to the final in Leipzig is a long and exciting one. Here's the full schedule for the competition:
Qualifying Phase:
First Qualifying Round: July 10 & 17
Second Qualifying Round: July 24 & 31
Third Qualifying Round: August 7 & 14
Play-offs: August 21 & 28
League Phase:
Draw Date: August 29
Matchday 1: October 2
Matchday 2: October 23
Matchday 3: November 6
Matchday 4: November 27
Matchday 5: December 11
Matchday 6: December 18
Knockout Phase:
Knockout Play-offs: February 19 & 26, 2026
Round of 16: March 12 & 19, 2026
Quarter-finals: April 9 & 16, 2026
Semi-finals: April 30 & May 7, 2026
Final: May 27, 2026, at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany
The Road to Leipzig
The 2025/26 UEFA Conference League is shaping up to be another fantastic season. The new league format provides a fresh and exciting feel, rewarding consistent performance and ensuring every match is a must-watch event. From the high-profile teams in Pot 1 to the determined underdogs fighting for a spot, the competition is a true celebration of European football. As we await the draw on August 29, the only certainty is that the road to Leipzig will be full of drama, passion, and unforgettable moments.