The UEFA Europa League has introduced a revamped format for the 2024/25 season, marking a significant change from previous years. This season will see 36 clubs participating in a new single-division structure, where each team will play eight different opponents. The format ensures that teams from the same country will not face each other in the league phase, and each club will only play a maximum of two opponents from another country.
In this new setup, each team will play one home and one away match against eight different opponents. The competition will include an additional play-off round before the Round of 16. Teams that finish between 9th and 24th positions in the league phase will enter a two-legged play-off to secure their place in the knockout stages. Those finishing from 25th to 36th place will be eliminated from the tournament.
For Manchester United, the FA Cup winners, and Tottenham Hotspur, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season, the draw on Friday will determine their opponents for the group stage. The draw is scheduled to begin at 12 pm UK time. Both teams are keenly awaiting their matchups as they prepare for the upcoming competition.
The new format aims to enhance the competitive nature of the tournament and ensure a balanced distribution of opponents across the league phase. As the teams gear up for the draw, the Europa League promises to offer an exciting and dynamic season of European football.
