Europa League League Phase Betting
Since 2024-25 the Europa League opens with a single 36-team league phase instead of the old groups, the same shape used by the Champions League. Here is how it works, the qualification markets it opens up, and what the change means when you bet.
How the league phase works
All 36 clubs sit in one combined table and each plays eight matches — four at home, four away — against eight different opponents. The table then splits three ways: the top eight go straight to the round of 16; clubs finishing 9th to 24th enter a two-legged knockout play-off for the remaining eight round-of-16 places; 25th and below are eliminated. With a deep, even field, that one table can be tightly bunched, so a single result swings a lot of positions at once.
Qualification betting and what changed
The format opens up qualification markets: to finish top eight (a direct route to the round of 16, dodging the play-off), to finish top 24 (to survive at all), and to reach the round of 16. Because the field is deep and the table tight, these markets move fast — more so than in the Champions League, where the strong clubs pull clear. Pair them with the Europa League outright odds and handicap betting on the mismatches, then read the knockout stage page for what the play-off round brings.
Frequently asked questions
How many teams are in the Europa League league phase?
Thirty-six, all in a single combined table. Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents, four at home and four away.
How do you qualify from the league phase?
The top eight go straight to the round of 16, clubs 9th to 24th enter a two-legged knockout play-off for the last eight spots, and 25th and below are eliminated.