The introduction of the Europa League play-offs has added another dimension to the competition.
There were some thrilling two-legged affairs in the first knockout phase last season, and we’ll likely see plenty of European heavyweights being forced to progress into the main body of the Europa League via the play-offs this time around.
The conclusion of the group stage is imminent and the draw for the play-offs will swiftly follow.
The eight group winners in the Europa League will be rewarded with immediate passage into the round of 16, but what happens to those that finish second in their group? Here’s everything you need to know.
The first knockout phase in the Europa League is now labelled a ‘play-off’ round in which the eight teams that drop down from the Champions League (for finishing third in their group) are each matched up against the eight runners-up from the Europa League group stage.
These eight games will be played over two legs – scheduled for 16 and 23 February – with the seeded teams (Europa League group runners-up) playing the second leg on home soil.
The winners of these eight ties will progress into the round of 16 of the competition, where the eight group winners await.
Why is there a knockout play-off round in the Europa League?
The establishment of the Europa Conference League in 2021 facilitated a structure change to the Europa League.
Previously, there were 12 groups in this competition with the group winners and runners-up being joined by the eight teams dropping down from the Champions League to create a round of 32 in the first knockout phase.
UEFA will host the 2022/23 Europa League knockout play-off draw at their headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
The draw is set to take place on Monday 7 November at 13:00 CET (12:00 GMT).
UEFA will be live streaming the draw on their official website.
The eight winners of the Europa League play-off ties will join the eight group winners in the round of 16 where a traditional knockout tournament will ensue (with all ties being played over two legs) up until the final.
The 2022/23 Europa League final will be held at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
The final will take place on 31 May, 2023.
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