The Europa League knockout round play-offs will return for its third iteration in 2023/24.
UEFA’s introduction of the Europa Conference League ahead of the 2021/22 campaign brought about a shake-up to their second most prestigious club competition. A significant downsize ensued, and the round of 32 was ditched in favour of the knockout round play-offs.
The addition of two extra games on an already demanding calendar gives teams the extra incentive to avoid the newly established phase by either winning their Europa League group or ensuring they advance in the Champions League.
For some, the knockout round play-offs are a burden, but it represents another opportunity for others. With the group stages drawing to a close, the draw for the play-offs are just around the corner.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023/24 Europa League knockout round play-off draw.
The Europa League knockout round play-off remains a fairly novel phase of the competition given that it was introduced for the 2021/22 season.
2023/24 will therefore be our third taste of the play-offs.
In this round, the eight teams that finished third in their Champions League groups will be drawn against one of the eight runners-up from the Europa League group stage. The Champions League dropdowns are unseeded for the draw and will therefore play host to the first legs.
Teams from the same UEFA member association cannot face each other at this stage of the competition.
The 2023/24 Europa League knockout round play-off draw will be held at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, on Monday 18 December at noon (BST).
The draw should be accessible by a variety of means. Those that have a TNT Sports subscription should be able to catch the draw live via their channels as well as the discovery+ app.
However, UEFA also live streams the draw via their website and official YouTube channel.
Seeded teams
|
Runners-up in Europa League group |
|---|
|
Sporting CP |
|
TBC |
|
TBC |
|
TBC |
|
TBC |
|
TBC |
|
TBC |
|
TBC |
Unseeded teams
|
Third-place in Champions League group |
|---|
|
Galatasaray |
|
Lens |
|
Braga |
|
Benfica |
|
Feyenoord |
|
Young Boys |
|
TBC |
|
TBC |
These two legged fixtures will take place next February. The first legs are scheduled for 15 February, with the second legs a week later on 22 February.
The eight play-off winners will join the Europa League group victors in the round of 16.
