The UEFA Europa League playoffs are set to begin, with the draw scheduled for today, January 31, 2025. This pivotal event is taking place at the UEFA headquarters known as the Maison du football européen, located in Nyon, Switzerland.
Following the conclusion of the league phase of the tournament, which wrapped up on January 30, eight teams have secured their spots directly for the round of 16, bypassing the playoffs entirely. Those teams are Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, Manchester United, Tottenham, Eintracht Frankfurt, Lyon, Olympiakos, and Glasgow Rangers.
For the teams positioned between 9th and 24th, the stakes are high. These clubs will need to compete to earn their places in the knockout stage of the tournament. Among those teams are notable clubs such as Porto, Ajax Amsterdam, and AS Roma, who are set to battle it out for the chance to move forward. Specifically, the clubs facing elimination include Bodo/Glimt, Anderlecht, Steaua Bucharest, Ajax Amsterdam, Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AS Roma, Viktoria Plzen, Ferencvaros, Porto, AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Union Saint-Gilloise, PAOK Salonique, Twente, and Fenerbahçe.
The draw is not just ceremonial; it will establish direct matchups for the playoff matches, which will see teams competing over two legs, with the first leg taking place on February 13 and the return leg on February 20.
For viewers eager to follow the event, the draw will commence at 1 PM CET and can be watched live via Canal+ Foot and streamed on the UEFA’s official website, uefa.com. Fans will also have the opportunity to keep up with the draw through live commentary provided by various media outlets.
UEFA has established specific seeding rules for the draw. Clubs finishing between 9th and 16th positions will serve as seeded teams, meaning they will host the return leg of their playoff fixtures. The organization has arranged potential match pairings based on the teams’ final standings. For example, the teams ranked 9th and 10th will face off against those placed 23rd and 24th, ensuring each matchup is competitive and fair.
For clubs involved, this draw not only marks the beginning of the knockout stage but also presents them with the chance to qualify for the lucrative rounds of 16, which begins on March 6, continuing through March 13. Those advancing will seek glory and the opportunity to prove themselves among Europe's elite.
This format change for the Europa League, much like its more prestigious counterpart, the Champions League, has introduced new layers of excitement and competition for clubs across Europe. The aim is to make the tournament more engaging and to offer more clubs the opportunity to compete at high levels.
One of the most important elements of this new structure is the potential for upsets. Lesser-known teams have found success recently, challenging the traditional powers and proving their mettle on the European stage. Fans are eagerly anticipating how these matchups will play out and which underdogs may rise to the occasion.
With the draw now only hours away, the anticipation continues to build. Clubs, players, and supporters alike are poised for the important matches to follow, as they look to cement their places among the competition's best.
Whether it's the seasoned veterans or determined newcomers, all eyes will be on the draw this afternoon to see who will face who as the UEFA Europa League playoffs come to life.