A total of 178 teams competed in the qualifying system of the2020–21 UEFA Europa League, which includes the qualifying phase and the play-off round, with 35 teams in Champions Path and 143 teams in Main Path. The 21 winners in the play-off round (8 from Champions Path, 13 from Main Path) advanced to thegroup stage, to join the 18 teams that enter in the group stage, the 6 losers of theChampions League play-off round (4 fromChampions Path, 2 fromLeague Path), and the 3 League Path losers of theChampions League third qualifying round.[3]
Times areCEST (UTC+2), as listed by UEFA (local times, if different, are in parentheses).
The Champions Path includes all league champions which are eliminated from theChampions Path qualifying phase of theChampions League, and consists of the following rounds:
Third qualifying round (18 teams): 8 teams which enter in this round (8 of the 10 losers of theChampions League second qualifying round), and 10 winners of the second qualifying round.
Q3 Losers of Champions League third qualifying round (Champions Path).
Q2 Bye Losers of Champions League second qualifying round (Champions Path), determined by a draw held on 31 August 2020 after the Europa League second qualifying round draw,[5] which received a bye to the Europa League play-off round.
Q2 Losers of Champions League second qualifying round (Champions Path).
Q1 Losers of Champions League first qualifying round.
PR F Losers of Champions League preliminary round final.
PR SF Losers of Champions League preliminary round semi-finals.
The Main Path includes all cup winners and league non-champions which do not qualify directly for the group stage, and consists of the following rounds:
Preliminary round (16 teams): 16 teams which enter in this round.
First qualifying round (94 teams): 86 teams which enter in this round, and 8 winners of the preliminary round.
Second qualifying round (72 teams): 25 teams which enter in this round, and 47 winners of the first qualifying round.
In a change to the format as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic in Europe, each tie is played as a single-legged match hosted by one of the teams decided by draw.[1][6] If scores are level at the end of normal time,extra time is played, followed by apenalty shoot-out if the scores remain tied.
In each draw of the Champions Path, teams (whose identity may not be known at the time of the draws) are divided into seeded and unseeded pots, which may contain different numbers of teams, based on the following principles:
In the second qualifying round draw, 17 losers of the Champions League first qualifying round are seeded, and the three losers of the Champions League preliminary round are unseeded.
In the third qualifying round draw, the eight losers of the Champions League second qualifying round are seeded and the ten winners of the second qualifying round are unseeded.
In the play-off round draw, the five losers of the Champions League third qualifying round are seeded; the remaining two losers of the Champions League second qualifying round and the nine winners of the third qualifying round are unseeded.
In the beginning of the draws, a seeded team is drawn against an unseeded team until one of the pots is empty. Afterwards, the remaining teams from the non-empty pot are drawn against each other. For each tie, a draw is made between the two teams, and the first team drawn is the home team.
In each draw of the Main Path, teams are seeded based on their 2020UEFA club coefficients. For any team whose club coefficients are not final at the time of a draw, their club coefficients at that time, taking into account of all 2019–20 UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches played up to that point, are used (Regulations Article 13.03). Teams are divided into seeded and unseeded pots containing the same number of teams, and a seeded team is drawn against an unseeded team. For each tie, a draw is made between the two teams, and the first team drawn is the home team. If the identity of the winners of the previous round is not known at the time of the draws, the seeding is carried out under the assumption that the team with the higher coefficient of an undecided tie advances to this round, which means if the team with the lower coefficient is to advance, it simply takes the seeding of its opponent. Teams from the same association or associations with political conflicts as decided by UEFA may not be drawn into the same tie. Prior to the draws, UEFA may form "groups" in accordance with the principles set by the Club Competitions Committee and based on geographical, logistical and political reasons, and they are purely for convenience of the draw and do not resemble any real groupings in the sense of the competition.
Prior to each draw, UEFA publish the list of knowntravel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. All teams must inform UEFA if there are other existing restrictions other than those published. If a team fails to do so which as a consequence the match cannot take place, the team is considered responsible and to have forfeited the match.
If travel restrictions imposed by the home team's country prevent the away team from entering, the home team must propose an alternative venue that allows the match to take place without any restrictions. Otherwise they are considered to have forfeited the match.
If travel restrictions imposed by the away team's country prevent the away team from leaving or returning, the home team must propose an alternative venue that allows the match to take place without any restrictions. Otherwise UEFA decide on a venue.
If after the draw, new restrictions imposed by either the home team's or away team's country prevent the match from taking place, the team of that country are considered to have forfeited the match.
If either team refuses to play the match, they are considered to have forfeited the match. If both teams refuse to play or are responsible for a match not taking place, both teams are disqualified.
If a team has players and/or officials tested positive forSARS-2 coronavirus preventing them from playing the match before the deadline set by UEFA, they are considered to have forfeited the match.
In all cases, the two teams may agree to play the match at the away team's country or at a neutral country, subject to UEFA's approval. UEFA has the final authority to decide on a venue for any match, or to reschedule any match if necessary.
If, for any reason, the qualifying phase and play-offs cannot be completed before the deadline set by UEFA, UEFA decide on the principles for determining the teams qualified for the group stage.
Four countries (Poland, Hungary, Greece and Cyprus) have provided neutral venue hubs which allow matches to be played at their stadiums without restrictions.[9]
The schedule of the competition is as follows (all draws are held at the UEFA headquarters inNyon, Switzerland).[10] The tournament would originally have started in June 2020, but had been delayed to August due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in Europe.[11] The new schedule was announced by the UEFA Executive Committee on 17 June 2020.[1]
Round
Draw date
Match date
Preliminary round
9 August 2020
20 August 2020
First qualifying round
10 August 2020
27 August 2020
Second qualifying round
31 August 2020
17 September 2020
Third qualifying round
1 September 2020
24 September 2020
Play-off round
18 September 2020
1 October 2020
The original schedule of the competition, as planned before the pandemic, was as follows (all draws held at the UEFA headquarters inNyon, Switzerland, unless stated otherwise).
A total of 16 teams played in the preliminary round. Seeding of teams was based on their 2020UEFA club coefficients.[4] The first team drawn in each tie were the home team. Teams from the same association could not be drawn against each other.
The matches were played on 18, 20 and 21 August 2020. The match between Lincoln Red Imps and Prishtina on 18 August was postponed due to the whole Prishtina team being put into quarantine after eight players had tested positive forSARS-2 coronavirus. The game was rescheduled to 22 August, with Prishtina using UEFA regulations to sign on emergency loan players from rivalKosovar Superleague clubsFeronikel,Llapi,Trepca '89,Flamurtar,Ballkani,Drenica andVushtrria in order to fulfil the fixture.[13] However the rearranged fixture also had to be cancelled after 7 more players tested positive for coronavirus, and Lincoln Red Imps were awarded atechnical 3–0 win by UEFA.
A total of 94 teams played in the first qualifying round: 86 teams which entered in this round, and 8 winners of the preliminary round. Seeding of teams was based on their 2020UEFA club coefficients from matches played through 8 August 2020.[4] For the winners of the preliminary round, whose identity was not known at the time of draw, the club coefficient of the highest-ranked remaining team in each tie was used. The first team drawn in each tie would be the home team. Teams from the same association could not be drawn against each other. Numbers were pre-assigned for each team by UEFA, with the draw held in two runs, one for Groups 1–13 with six teams and one for Groups 14–15 with eight teams.
† Winners of the preliminary round, whose identity was not known at the time of draw. Teams initalics defeated a team with a higher coefficient, thus effectively taking the coefficient of their opponent in the draw.
‡ Club coefficients from matches played through 8 August 2020 (AGF: 5.800, Servette: 5.240) were used for the first qualifying round draw, as their 2020 club coefficients were not final at the time of the first qualifying round draw (Regulations Article 13.03).[3]
Main Path (72 teams): 25 teams which entered in this round, and 47 winners of the first qualifying round.
Seeding of teams in the Champions Path was based on the round they are eliminated from the Champions League. Seeding of teams in the Main Path was based on their 2020UEFA club coefficients.[4] For the winners of the two postponed first round matches, whose identity was not known at the time of draw, the club coefficient of the highest-ranked remaining team in each tie was used. The first team drawn in each tie would be the home team. Teams from the same association could not be drawn against each other. Numbers were pre-assigned for each team in the Main Path by UEFA, with the draw held in one run for all Groups 1–12 with six teams.
‡ Winners of postponed first qualifying round matches, whose identity was not known at the time of draw. Teams initalics defeated a team with a higher coefficient, thus effectively taking the coefficient of their opponent in the draw.
^Bala Town were drawn as the home team in the original draw, but the tie was switched to a home match of Standard Liège due to the inability of Bala Town to secure a suitable venue.[25]
Seeding of teams in the Champions Path was based on the round they are eliminated from the Champions League. Seeding of teams in the Main Path was based on their 2020UEFA club coefficients.[4] For the winners of the second qualifying round (Main Path), whose identity was not known at the time of draw, the club coefficient of the highest-ranked remaining team in each tie was used. The first team drawn in each tie would be the home team. Teams from the same association could not be drawn against each other. Numbers were pre-assigned for each team by UEFA, with the draw held in two runs, one for Groups 1–6 with six teams and one for Groups 7–8 with eight teams.
† Winners of the second qualifying round (Main Path), whose identity was not known at the time of draw. Teams initalics defeated a team with a higher coefficient, thus effectively taking the coefficient of their opponent in the draw.
‡ Losers of the Champions League second qualifying round (League Path).
Main Path (26 teams): 26 winners of the third qualifying round (Main Path).
Seeding of teams in the Champions Path was based on the round they are eliminated from the Champions League. Seeding of teams in the Main Path was based on their 2020UEFA club coefficients.[4] For the winners of the third qualifying round (Main Path), whose identity was not known at the time of draw, the club coefficient of the highest-ranked remaining team in each tie was used. The first team drawn in each tie would be the home team. Teams from the same association could not be drawn against each other. Numbers were pre-assigned for each team by UEFA, with the draw held in two runs, one for Groups 1–3 with six teams and one for Group 4 with eight teams.
† Winners of the third qualifying round (Main Path), whose identity was not known at the time of draw. Teams initalics defeated a team with a higher coefficient, thus effectively taking the coefficient of their opponent in the draw.
^The Tre Penne v Gjilani match, originally scheduled to be played on 20 August 2020, 21:00, was postponed to 21 August 2020, 20:00,[15] due to one player from Gjilani testing positive forSARS-2 coronavirus.[16]
^abThe Lincoln Red Imps v Prishtina match, originally scheduled to be played on 18 August 2020, was postponed to 22 August 2020 due to several members from Prishtina's delegation testing positive forSARS-2 coronavirus and the whole team being put into quarantine by the Gibraltarian authorities.[17] On 22 August, the match could not be played due to eight players from Prishtina testing positive for SARS-2 coronavirus and the whole second team being put into quarantine by the Gibraltarian authorities.[18][19] Lincoln Red Imps were subsequently awarded a technical 3–0 victory by UEFA according to the regulations related to COVID-19.[20][14]
^NSÍ Runavík played their home match at Svangaskarð, Toftir, instead of their regular stadiumVið Løkin,Runavík, which did not meet UEFA requirements.
^abB36 Tórshavn played their home matches at Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, instead of their regular stadiumGundadalur, Tórshavn, which did not meet UEFA requirements.
^abHonvéd played their home matches at Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion, Budapest, instead of their regular stadiumBozsik József Stadion, Budapest, as it was demolished to be replaced by their new stadiumBozsik Aréna, Budapest.
^abKukësi played their home matches at Arena Kombëtare, Tirana, instead of their regular stadiumZeqir Ymeri Stadium,Kukës, which is under reconstruction.
^abcHapoel Be'er Sheva played their home matches at HaMoshava Stadium, Petah Tikva, instead of their regular stadiumTurner Stadium,Be'er Sheva, which was temporarily closed for structural problems with the roof.[22]
^abThe Nõmme Kalju v Mura match, originally scheduled to be played on 27 August 2020, 16:30 (17:30UTC+3), atKadriorg Stadium,Tallinn, was postponed to 10 September 2020, 19:30CEST, and moved to Szusza Ferenc Stadion, Újpest, Hungary, due to one player from Nõmme Kalju and one player from Mura testing positive forSARS-2 coronavirus, afterMeistriliiga andSlovenian PrvaLiga matches on 22 August respectively, and both whole teams being put into quarantine by the Estonian authorities.[23]
^abApollon Limassol played their home matches at GSP Stadium, Nicosia, instead of their regular stadiumTsirio Stadium,Limassol, which did not meet UEFA requirements.
^The Maccabi Haifa v Željezničar match, originally scheduled to be played on 27 August 2020, 19:00 (20:00UTC+3), was postponed to 9 September 2020, 19:00 (20:00UTC+3), due to five members from Željezničar's delegation testing positive forSARS-2 coronavirus and the whole team being put into quarantine by the Israeli authorities.[24]
^Alashkert played their home match at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, instead of their regular stadiumAlashkert Stadium, Yerevan, which did not meet UEFA requirements.
^abProgrès Niederkorn played their home matches at Stade Municipal, Differdange, instead of their regular stadiumStade Jos Haupert,Niederkorn, which did not meet UEFA requirements.
^Petrocub Hîncești played their home match at Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, instead of their regular stadiumStadionul Municipal,Hîncești, which did not meet UEFA requirements.
^Iskra Danilovgrad played their home match at City Stadium, Podgorica, instead of their regular stadiumBraća Velašević Stadium,Danilovgrad, which did not meet UEFA requirements.
^Gjilani played their home match at Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, instead of their regular stadiumCity Stadium,Gjilan, which is under reconstruction.
^The Riga v Tre Fiori match, which kicked off on 17 September 2020, 19:00 (20:00UTC+3), was suspended after 23 minutes due to strong winds and broken floodlights, then resumed on 18 September 2020, 09:00 (10:00UTC+3).[26]
^Sileks played their home match at Toše Proeski Arena, Skopje, instead of their regular stadiumGradski stadion,Kratovo.
^Astana played their home match at Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, instead of their regular stadiumAstana Arena,Nur-Sultan.
^abArarat-Armenia played their home matches at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, instead of their regular stadiumYerevan Football Academy Stadium, Yerevan.
^Kaisar played their home match at Kazhymukan Munaitpasov Stadium, Shymkent, instead of their regular stadiumGani Muratbayev Stadium,Kyzylorda.
^TSC Bačka Topola played their home match at City Stadium, Senta, instead of their city stadium inBačka Topola.
^Sfântul Gheorghe played their home match at Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, instead of their regular stadiumSuruceni Stadium,Suruceni.
^Laçi played their home match at Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, instead of their regular stadiumLaçi Stadium,Laç.
^Renova played their home match at Petar Miloševski Training Centre, Skopje, instead of their regular stadiumEcolog Arena,Tetovo.
^abSarajevo played their home matches at Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica, instead of their regular stadiumKoševo City Stadium,Sarajevo.
^KÍ played their home match at Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, instead of their regular stadiumVið Djúpumýrar,Klaksvík which did not meet UEFA requirements.
^VfL Wolfsburg played their home match at AOK Stadion, instead of their regular stadiumVolkswagen Arena, as a cost-saving measure.[28]
^Shkëndija played their home match at Toše Proeski Arena, Skopje, instead of their regular stadiumEcolog Arena,Tetovo.
^FCSB played their home match at Marin Anastasovici Stadium, Giurgiu, instead of their regular stadiumArena Națională,Bucharest.
Note: Between the 1999–2000 and 2008–09 seasons, the competition was still known as the UEFA Cup. All seasons are included following the competition's absorption of the Cup Winners' Cup.
Gjilani
Iskra
HB
Barry Town United
Víkingur Reykjavík
FCI Levadia
Derry City
Inter Turku
Differdange 03
Cracovia
Slavia Sofia
Dinamo-Auto
DAC Dunajská Streda
Shkupi
Dinamo Batumi
Botoșani
Dynamo Moscow
Galatasaray
Granada
Willem II
Tottenham Hotspur
Kolos Kovalivka
Slovan Liberec
Reims
Rio Ave
Hajduk Split
VfL Wolfsburg
Hartberg
Milan
