The 2025/26 UEFA Europa League Round of 16 draw has been made, and it has delivered some truly mouth-watering ties. On Friday, February 27, 2026, UEFA conducted the draw at its headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, confirming eight two-legged clashes that will decide who reaches the quarter-finals of one of European football’s most prestigious competitions.
The stakes are high. Its final will be in Istanbul on May 20, 2026, and all the remaining clubs are aware that it is their time to be part of history.
Full Round of 16 Fixtures
| Home (First Leg) | Away (First Leg) |
|---|---|
| Celta Vigo (ESP) | Olympique Lyon (FRA) |
| KRC Genk (BEL) | SC Freiburg (GER) |
| Panathinaikos (GRE) | Real Betis (ESP) |
| Ferencváros (HUN) | Braga (POR) |
| LOSC Lille (FRA) | Aston Villa (ENG) |
| Bologna (ITA) | AS Roma (ITA) |
| Nottingham Forest (ENG) | FC Midtjylland (DEN) |
| VfB Stuttgart (GER) | FC Porto (POR) |
First leg will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, and the second leg is to be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Teams that made it through the league further will get the second leg at home and the likes of Aston Villa, Lyon and Roma will have a huge home advantage at the time when it counts.
Premier League Teams are prepared to take it up.
England also has a good representation in the last 16, and both, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest represent the Premier League in the second best club competition in Europe.
Aston Villa led by Unai Emery will take up an interesting rematch with LOSC Lille. In the UEFA Conference League quarter-final that the two sides played back in 2024, a draw that will continue to be memorable among Villa fans.
There is even a larger prize this time. The seeded Villa will host the second leg at Villa Park, which will be a significant boost in their quest to secure a quarter-final spot.
Nottingham Forest, in its turn, encounter Danish team FC Midtjylland. It has been reported that Forest lost to the same opposition in the league stage earlier this season and this tie provided them with a redemption opportunity.
Forest will be keen to rectify such a record on the largest platform.
Bologna vs Roma, the Italian Derby.
The most notable matches of the entire draw include the all-Italian match between Bologna and AS Roma. This is a very special occasion to Italian football since European draws seldom is able to generate domestic derbies at this level.
Roma, being the side that is seeded will host the second leg at Stadio Olimpico. Both the clubs have a rich European history, yet none of them can go to the quarter-finals. This tie will ensure that Serie A will be represented in the last eight irrespective of the outcome.
Porto, Lyon and the Wider Picture.
Besides the ties of the headlines, the match was also generating some interesting matchups in the continent.
VfB Stuttgart vs FC Porto is a match between the two clubs which have a proud European tradition.
Porto who have won this competition five times in its past formats will be determined to regain their reputation in the continent. Stuttgart, however, have not failed to impress with the real quality in this campaign.
Celta Vigo vs Olympique Lyon is another match that is full of mysteries. Lyon is one of the most garlanded clubs in France to play in Europe, but on paper, they will be overwhelmingly favored against a Celta side that can take a case against them.
The Road to Istanbul
There is also a quarter-final bracket which is also confirmed giving clubs a clear idea of the possible route to the final:
- QF1: Ferencvaros/Braga vs. Panathinaikos/Real Betis.
- QF2: Genk/Freiburg vs Celta/Lyon.
- QF3: Stuttgart/Porto vs Nottingham Forest/Midtjylnd.
- QF4: Bologna/Roma vs Lille/Aston Villa.
This implies that should both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest advance to the semi-finals, the two clubs might face each other in the semi-finals, something that would become a miracle to the English football and the Europa league as well.
What Comes Next
The initial legs come fast. All the eight ties would commence on March 12 and the revert matches would be played in a span of only seven days on March 19.
The 2025/26 Europa League of the UEFA is setting up an epic finale. The knockout rounds are bound to feature the very best of European football with the heavyweight clubs such as Roma, Porto, and Lyon still in the mix and the reemerging Premier League clubs.
The streets to Istanbul are all there — now the race begins.
