Europa League 2026/27: Schedule, Favorites, Austrian Teams
Published on 11.09.2026 in Football
Europa League 2026/27: Fixtures, Favourites
The new Europa League 2026/27 season is just around the corner. The ball will be rolling again in Europe’s second-tier club competition as early as mid-September, with numerous historic clubs dreaming of a major triumph. Particularly interesting for Austrian football fans: RB Salzburg and Sturm Graz are both represented in the league phase.
But which teams are among the favorites? Who will Salzburg and Sturm Graz face in their opening matches? What has changed in the format? And who will be able to dream of reaching the final in Frankfurt?
Here you can find an overview of all matches and odds for the Europa League 2026/27.
Europa League 2026/27: The Most Important Dates
The Europa League will continue to be played in the new league format with 36 teams. Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents. The top eight teams qualify directly for the Round of 16. Teams finishing in places 9 to 24 then compete for the remaining Round of 16 spots.
The Most Important Dates
- League phase starts: 16th September 2026
- Matchday: 16th and 17th September 2026
- Final league phase matchday: 28th January 2027
- Knockout play-offs: 18th and 25th February 2027
- Round of 16: 11th and 18th March 2027
- Quarter-finals: April 8 and 15, 2027
- Semi-finals: 29th April and 6th May 2027
- Europa League final in Frankfurt: 26th May 2027
Particularly interesting: During the opening week, the Europa League will be in the spotlight for two days. The first matches will already take place on Wednesday, before the majority of fixtures follow on Thursday.
The New Europa League Format Explained Simply
Many fans are also looking for answers to the question this season: How does the Europa League actually work?
Since the reform, there are no longer traditional groups of four teams. Instead, UEFA has created one large league table featuring all 36 participants. Each team plays:
- 8 matches
- 4 home matches
- 4 away matches
- against 8 different opponents
The overall league table then determines how the competition continues.
Who advances?
- Places 1 to 8 → directly into the Round of 16
- Places 9 to 24 → play-offs
- Places 25 to 36 → eliminated
Relegation to the Conference League is no longer possible.
Who Will the Austrian Teams Face?
RB Salzburg
RB Salzburg have been one of the most successful Austrian clubs on the international stage for years and will once again be aiming to reach the knockout phase this season.
Salzburg will begin their new Europa League campaign away against Levski Sofia on 17th September 2026.
RB Salzburg’s League Phase Opponents
- Matchday 1 (17/09/2026): Levski Sofia (Away)
- Matchday 2 (15/10/2026): AC Milan (Home)
- Matchday 3 (22/10/2026): NK Celje (Away)
- Matchday 4 (05/11/2026): Anderlecht (Away)
- Matchday 5 (26/11/2026): Ararat-Armenia (Home)
- Matchday 6 (10/12/2026): Sparta Prague (Home)
- Matchday 7 (21/01/2027): Bayer Leverkusen (Away)
- Matchday 8 (28/01/2027): Crystal Palace (Home)
The matches against AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and Crystal Palace in particular should be among the highlights of the league phase. Reaching the play-offs appears to be a realistic target for Salzburg.
Sturm Graz
Sturm Graz have established themselves as a mainstay of Austrian football in recent years and will now be looking to make their mark on the international stage as well.
Sturm Graz will open their campaign by hosting French side Stade Rennes on 16th September 2026.
Sturm Graz’s League Phase Opponents
- Matchday 1 (16/09/2026): Stade Rennes (Home)
- Matchday 2 (15/10/2026): Bournemouth (Away)
- Matchday 3 (22/10/2026): Olympique Marseille (Home)
- Matchday 4 (05/11/2026): NK Celje (Home)
- Matchday 5 (26/11/2026): Ferencvaros Budapest (Away)
- Matchday 6 (10/12/2026): AC Milan (Away)
- Matchday 7 (21/01/2027): Hoffenheim (Away)
- Matchday 8 (28/01/2027): Benfica Lisbon (Home)
The task will be challenging, as several strong opponents such as AC Milan, Benfica, Marseille and Bournemouth are waiting. Nevertheless, Sturm Graz certainly have a chance of competing for a place in the play-offs.
Who Are the Favorites to Win the Europa League?
The Europa League 2026/27 is exceptionally strong this season. The biggest favorites include:
AC Milan
The Italians are one of Europe’s best-known clubs and are considered among the top title contenders by many experts.
Juventus Turin
Juventus have enormous international experience and traditionally rank among the strongest teams in the competition.
Bayer Leverkusen
The German side bring a high-quality squad, international experience and plenty of quality.
Benfica Lisbon
The Portuguese side have been among the most consistent teams in European football for years.
Real Sociedad and Olympique Lyon
Both clubs have strong squads and could go far in the competition this season.
RB Salzburg
From an Austrian perspective, many hopes are pinned on Salzburg. International experience, a clear playing philosophy and regular participation in European competitions make the club from the city of Mozart one of the most interesting outsiders in the competition.
The 2027 Europa League Final in Frankfurt
The highlight of the Europa League 2026/27 season will take place on May 26, 2027, at Frankfurt Stadium.
For Austrian football fans, there is plenty of hope that perhaps one of the domestic representatives can make the long journey all the way to the final. Both RB Salzburg and Sturm Graz have repeatedly demonstrated in recent years that they can compete at European level.
The prospect of playing for a European title in front of a large crowd in Frankfurt should provide additional motivation for both clubs.
How Can Fans Follow the Europa League?
The Europa League 2026/27 will also be extensively broadcast on TV and via livestream in Austria. The matches involving RB Salzburg and Sturm Graz in particular are likely to attract a large number of football fans to their screens.
Fans can follow the matches via the following broadcasters and platforms:
- Sky Sport Austria: The most comprehensive destination for the Europa League, with a large number of live matches, individual broadcasts and conference coverage.
- CANAL+ Austria: Selected Europa League top matches live on pay TV and via livestream.
- ServusTV and ServusTV On: Selected Europa League matches involving Austrian teams live on free-to-air TV and via free livestream. For example, the opening match between Levski Sofia and RB Salzburg will be broadcast.
- Livestreams from the rights holders via Sky, CANAL+ and ServusTV On.
With Matchday 1 split between September 16 and 17, 2026, Austrian football fans can look forward to several days of Europa League football right from the start of the season. The performances of RB Salzburg and Sturm Graz will be particularly closely watched.
Betting Markets for the Europa League at MERKUR BETS
For sports betting fans, the Europa League has traditionally been one of the most popular competitions of the year. At MERKUR BETS, numerous betting options are available around the Europa League.
These include:
- Match winner bets
- Double chance
- Over/Under goals
- Both teams to score
- Half-time/Full-time bets
- Outright bets on the Europa League winner
- Top goalscorer bets
- Accumulator bets
Especially in the new league phase, with its many attractive matchups, football fans can find interesting betting options week after week.
In addition, at MERKUR BETS you can regularly benefit from attractive promotions, special football offers and odds boosts on selected Europa League matches. This means there are always additional highlights surrounding Europa League fixtures throughout the season.
Conclusion: The Europa League Promises Plenty of Excitement for Austrian Fans
The Europa League 2026/27 gets underway with a high-caliber field of participants and two Austrian representatives. While RB Salzburg are hoping for another successful European campaign, Sturm Graz will also be looking to make an impression on the international stage.
With the new league format, numerous top clubs and plenty of attractive matchups, the upcoming season promises plenty of football highlights for Austrian fans.
Anyone who does not want to miss any important developments can find regular up-to-date analyses, matchday previews, betting tips and information on the most important European competitions and the start of the new seasons in the top leagues on the MERKUR BETS Blog.