INTIME
Both Panathinaikos and PAOK are set to battle for advancement in the Europa League’s next stage, aiming to accumulate the highest possible points. Explore how last year’s qualification thresholds for the top 24 and top 8 teams shaped the knockout phase entry.
The Europa League’s second-ever League Phase has finalized its lineup, featuring 36 clubs including PAOK and Panathinaikos. The draw held in Monaco revealed the opponents each team will face as they strive to secure a spot among the top 24, which guarantees progression to the knockout rounds.
Panathinaikos will confront the following teams: Roma (home), Feyenoord (away), Plzen (home), Ferencváros (away), Young Boys (home), Sturm Graz (away), Go Ahead Eagles (home), and Malmö (away).
Meanwhile, PAOK’s schedule includes matches against: Real Betis (home), Lille (away), Maccabi Tel Aviv (home), Lyon (away), Young Boys (home), Ludogorets (away), Brann (home), and Celta Vigo (away).
The exact fixture order and dates for these encounters will be announced on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
The League Phase kicks off on September 24-25, 2025, with the final round scheduled for January 29, 2026.
PAOK returns to this secondary European competition’s League Phase for the second consecutive season, while Panathinaikos makes its debut in this format, both targeting maximum points to at least reach the playoff stage.
Insights from Last Season’s Europa League Format
Reflecting on the inaugural season under this new structure, both Greek teams can gauge the points needed to advance. Last year, Fenerbahçe clinched the 24th qualifying spot with 10 points, achieved through two wins, four draws, and two losses.
Interestingly, Twente and PAOK also amassed 10 points but only the Turkish side advanced due to tiebreakers. Braga and Elfsborg, despite having 10 points, were eliminated based on similar criteria.
For direct qualification into the top 8, teams required at least 14 points, typically from four victories, two draws, and two defeats. Rangers secured the last direct knockout berth with this tally, while Bodø/Glimt, Anderlecht, and Steaua Bucharest missed out despite matching points.
Complete Europa League 2025-26 Schedule
- Matchday 1: September 24-25, 2025
- Matchday 2: October 2, 2025
- Matchday 3: October 23, 2025
- Matchday 4: November 6, 2025
- Matchday 5: November 27, 2025
- Matchday 6: December 11, 2025
- Matchday 7: January 22, 2026
- Matchday 8: January 29, 2026
- Playoff Draw: January 30, 2026
- Playoff First Leg: February 19, 2026
- Playoff Second Leg: February 26, 2026
- Round of 16 Draw & Beyond: February 27, 2026
- Round of 16 First Leg: March 12, 2026
- Round of 16 Second Leg: March 19, 2026
- Quarterfinals First Leg: April 9, 2026
- Quarterfinals Second Leg: April 16, 2026
- Semifinals First Leg: April 30, 2026
- Semifinals Second Leg: May 7, 2026
- Final: May 20, 2026, in Istanbul
All PAOK matches during the League Phase will be broadcast live on OPEN, while Panathinaikos games will be available on COSMOTE TV.
Europa League League Phase Format Explained
- The League Phase features 36 teams ranked in a single table.
- Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents-four at home and four away.
- Teams finishing in positions 1 through 8 advance directly to the Round of 16.
- Clubs ranked 9 to 24 enter a two-legged playoff round to compete for Round of 16 spots. The first legs are hosted by teams ranked 17-24, with return legs at the grounds of teams ranked 9-16.
- The bottom 12 teams are eliminated from European competition for the season.
- Knockout stage paths depend heavily on final League Phase standings.
Tie-Breaking Criteria in the League Phase
- Goal difference
- Higher number of goals scored
- More away goals scored
- Number of wins
- Number of away wins
- Points earned in matches among tied teams
- Goal difference in matches among tied teams
- Goals scored in matches among tied teams
- Lower disciplinary points (fewer cards)
- UEFA club coefficient ranking
Financial Rewards for Greek Clubs Advancing Beyond the League Phase
- Playoff qualification: €300,000 per team
- Round of 16 qualification: €1,750,000 per team
- Quarterfinal qualification: €2,500,000 per team
- Semifinal qualification: €4,200,000 per team
- Final qualification: €7,000,000 per team
- Champion bonus: Additional €6,000,000
Watch the Game Night recap featuring the unforgettable March 3rd victories and the Greek men’s national basketball team’s triumph: