UEFA Conference League Knockout Phase Play-Off Draw Sets the Stage for European Showdowns

Nyon, Switzerland — January 2026

The UEFA Conference League 2025–26 knockout phase play-off draw has outlined the next decisive chapter in Europe’s newest continental competition, as clubs across the continent prepare for high-stakes two-legged ties that will determine progression to the Round of 16.

Conducted at the House of European Football in Nyon, the draw brings together 16 teams that finished between 9th and 24th in the League Phase standings, marking the transition from the league format to direct knockout football.

🔍 How the Draw Works

The play-off round features a seeded vs unseeded structure designed to reward higher league-phase finishes:

Teams ranked 9th to 16th are seeded and will host the second leg of their ties.
Teams ranked 17th to 24th are unseeded and host the first leg.

Each tie will be contested over two legs, with aggregate scorelines determining the eight teams that advance.

🏟️ Key Dates

Knockout phase play-off matches:
- First legs: 19 February 2026
- Second legs: 26 February 2026
Round of 16 draw: 27 February 2026
(Play-off winners will be paired with the top eight teams from the League Phase.)

From that point, the competition progresses through traditional knockout rounds toward the final in Leipzig, Germany, on 27 May 2026.

🌍 Clubs and Competitive Balance

The draw reflects the Conference League’s core identity — competitive balance and continental diversity — with clubs representing established European leagues alongside emerging football nations.

Seeded sides include teams from England, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Croatia, Turkey, Slovenia, and Switzerland, while unseeded clubs represent Kosovo, Armenia, Finland, Cyprus, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Czechia.

This blend ensures a series of compelling matchups, contrasting styles, and home atmospheres across Europe, reinforcing the competition’s role in expanding continental football opportunity.

🏆 What’s at Stake

Beyond progression to the Round of 16, clubs are competing for:

A place among Europe’s final 16 in the Conference League
Increased UEFA coefficient points for their national associations
A potential pathway to European silverware
Automatic qualification for the 2026–27 UEFA Europa League league phase for the eventual champion (subject to domestic qualification)

⚡ The Road Ahead

The eight play-off winners will join the league-phase top eight in the Round of 16, where the competition intensifies and margins narrow. With the knockout bracket taking shape, the Conference League enters its most compelling phase — where ambition, depth, and tactical discipline become decisive.

As European nights return in February, clubs and supporters alike now know the path that lies ahead in the race toward continental glory.

Read more sports news here.