Here is the 2026-27 Conference League Schedule and Key Dates

What is the schedule for the 2026-27 Conference League? When are the draws, the rounds, and the final? When and where is the 2027 Conference League Final?

The 2026-27 Europa Conference League runs from July 2026 through the final on June 2, 2027 in Istanbul. Here’s the complete schedule of draws, rounds, and key dates.

(Above image of Beşiktaş Stadium in Istanbul Matt Growcoot, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.)

Here is the 2026-27 Champions League schedule.

Here is the 2026-27 Europa League schedule.

2026–27 Europa Conference League schedule at a glance

For details on the exact dates of each round, see below.

• • July 9 to August 13: Qualifying Rounds
  • August 20 and 27: Playoffs
  • August 28: League Stage Draw
  • October 15 to December 17: League Stage
  • January 15: Knockout playoffs draw
  • February 18 and 25: Knockout playoffs
  • February 26: Knockout draw plus quarterfinal / semifinal draw
  • March 11 and 18: Round of 16
  • April 8 and 15: Quarterfinals
  • April 29 and May 6: Semifinals
  • June 2: Europa Conference League Final in Istanbul.

Are Conference League Games Always on Thursday Nights?

Yes, Conference League games are always on Thursday evening — except the Conference League Final, which is on Wednesday, June 2, 2027, in Istanbul.

Europa League games are also mostly on Thursday evenings.

Who Qualifies for the Conference League?

For the top 12 European leagues, one team from each qualifies. For the top 5 leagues, it’s the team that finishes 6th in the previous season’s table. In England, it’s the winners of the League Cup.

When does the 2026–27 Conference League start?

Technically, the 2026-27 Europa Conference League starts with the First Qualifying Round on July 9 and 16. But for most people, it’s the League Stage they care about, and the League Stage starts with the first round of games on October 15.

The English team in the Europa Conference League — the winners of the League Cup, or if that club also qualifies for Europe by league standing, the highest-placed finisher who didn’t qualify — enters in the Third Qualifying Round on August 6 and 13.

2026–27 Conference League qualifying round dates

The Europa Conference League Qualifying Rounds are for domestic cup winners from lower-ranked national associations, high finishers from other lower-ranked associations, and teams dropping out of the Conference League qualifying rounds. Each round is two legs, one at each place.

First Qualifying Round

• Draw: June 16
• Games: July 9 and July 16

Second Qualifying Round

• Draw: June 17
• Games: July 23 and July 30.

Third Qualifying Round

• Draw: July 20
• Games: August 6 and August 13.

Playoffs

• Draw: August 3
• Games: August 20 and 27

Europa Conference League Phase: Draw and Round Dates

This is where most people start paying attention. This is 36 teams — 24 from the qualifying rounds and 12 who dropped down from the Europa League qualifying.

Conference League Phase Draw Date: August 28, 2026.

The Conference League Phase Game Rounds are all Thursday evenings.

• October 15
• October 22
• November 5
• November 26
• December 10
• December 17 with everyone playing at the same time

Europa Conference League Knockout Round Dates

Teams finishing 1-8 in the league table get a bye to the Round of 16.

Knockout Playoffs

The knockout playoffs are for the teams who finish nos. 9-24 in the League Phase. Teams finishing 9-16 will host the second leg.

Knockout playoff draw: January 15.

Knockout playoff dates:

• February 18 and 25

Conference League Round of 16 Dates

The Draw for the Round of 16, Quarterfinals and Semifinals will be held February 26, 2027.

Teams that finished 1-8 in the League Stage will host the second legs in the Round of 16.

The Round of 16 dates:

• March 11 and 18

Conference League Quarterfinal Dates

• April 8 and 15

Conference League Semifinal Dates

• April 29 and May 6

When and Where is the Europa Conference League Final?

The 2027 Europa Conference League Final will be June 2, 2027, at the Beşiktaş Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. That’s it at the top of this post.

How to Buy Europa Conference League Tickets

We at Groundhopper Guides are registered sales agents for many clubs which are regularly in the UEFA competitions.

We have also been to multiple games at all of those stadiums, so we will not just sell you 100% guaranteed, official tickets and hospitality; we will give you all the information you need to make your Champions League game day smooth and fun.

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