Conference League 2025/26: When it starts, who participates, the dates to mark

The 2025/26 Conference League (previously known as the “Europa Conference League”) maintains the 2024/25 format with the 36-team league phase. Each club plays 6 matches (3 home, 3 away); the top 8 teams go directly to the Round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th play the playoffs to enter the Round of 16.

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When will the 2025/26 Conference League begin?

The league phase will begin on Thursday, October 2, 2025. The six matchdays will be held on: October 2, October 23, November 6, November 27, December 11, and December 18, 2025. All dates are official UEFA dates.

The most important and anticipated matches of the 2025/26 Conference League

During the first matchday (October 2), the most anticipated matches are certainly:

• Dynamo Kyiv vs Crystal Palace at Arena Lublin – the debut of a Premier League club against a historic European heavyweight: very high media attention.

• Aberdeen vs Shakhtar Donetsk at Pittodrie Stadium – a highly followed match between a very passionate fan base and a cup veteran.

During the second matchday (October 23), we have:

• SK Rapid vs Fiorentina at Weststadion – the Austrians against the Italian favorite: a very heated atmosphere in Vienna and a large following in Italy.

• Shakhtar Donetsk vs Legia Warszawa at Municipal Henryk Reyman's Stadium – a challenge between two European clubs with great tradition and fan support.

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