New Europa League format explained and what it means for Tottenham, Chelsea and Man United

Tottenham Hotspur will be joined by one of Chelsea or Manchester United in the Europa League next season.

The Lilywhites secured qualification to the competition on the final day of the Premier League season, with a 3-0 win over Sheffield United confirming a fifth-place finish. Despite some poor results towards the end of the campaign, Ange Postecoglou's side clambered over the line, returning to the Europa League for the first time since 2020/21.

As for the Blues, they claimed sixth place with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth. However, until Man United face Manchester City in the FA Cup final, it remains to be seen whether or not Chelsea will be playing in the Europa League next term.

If the Red Devils defeat their rivals then they will be joining Spurs, while Pochettino's side drop down into the Conference League. Nevertheless, from next season (2024/25), the Europa League will use a new format.

So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at the revised tournament and how it'll impact the Premier League clubs.

A new-look group stage

As always, some clubs will need to compete in three qualifying rounds before a play-off round in July and August just to book a place in the competition. Then, instead of a standard four-team group stage as we know it, there will be a single 36-team league stage.

Each club shall face eight different teams once, four at home and four away. The top eight qualify directly to the round of 16, while sides finishing from ninth to 24th will contest in the knockout round play-offs, with the winners of all eight two-legged ties going through to the last 16.

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Knockouts go unchanged

From the last 16 onwards, the tournament then goes to a straight knockout format with two-legged ties – as done so previously. The final will then take place at the Estadio de San Mames in Bilbao, Spain, on May 21, 2025.

Important dates for your diary

The draw for the new-look league stage will take place on August 29, 2024, with match rounds pencilled in from September to January.

Matchday 1 – September 25 and 26, 2024

Matchday 2 – October 3, 2024

Matchday 3 – October 24, 2024

Matchday 4 – November 7, 2024

Matchday 5 – November 28, 2024

Matchday 6 – December 12, 2024

Matchday 7 – January 23, 2025

Matchday 8 – January 30, 2025

The draw for the knockout round play-offs, for the clubs finishing ninth to 24th, will be held on January 31, 2025, with the two legs set to be played on February 13 and February 20, 2025. The draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals will take place on February 21, 2025.

Round of 16 – March 6 and March 13, 2025

Quarter-finals – April 10 and April 17, 2025

Semi-finals – May 1 and May 8, 2025

Final – May 21, 2025

According to UEFA, dates are, of course, subject to change.

Prize

The 2024/25 Europa League winners secure themselves a place in the league stage 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, if they haven't already done so via their domestic league. With Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United struggling to cement a place in the Premier League four of late, success in this tournament will be paramount.