The UEFA Europa League third qualifying round has produced most of the clubs heading into the 2026/27 play-offs. The final qualifying stage will be played over two legs on 20 and 27 August, with the winners qualifying for the Europa League league phase.
The third-round draw was split into Champions Path and Main Path ties. Clubs that fell short in this round move into the UEFA Conference League play-offs, while the teams that progress now have one more hurdle before the league phase.
Europa League third qualifying round results
Champions Path
| Tie | Aggregate result | Team through |
| Lincoln Red Imps vs Omonia | 1-2 | Omonia |
| KuPS Kuopio vs Universitatea Craiova | 2-3 | Universitatea Craiova |
| Thun vs Víkingur Reykjavík | 5-3 | Thun |
| Shamrock Rovers vs Egnatia | 4-6 | Egnatia |
| Lech Poznań vs Klaksvík | 5-0 | lech Poznan |
Main Path
| Tie | Aggregate result | Team through |
| Ferencváros vs Górnik Zabrze | 2-1 | Ferencváros |
| Jagiellonia Białystok vs Rangers | 3-2 | Jagiellonia Białystok |
| Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs CSKA Sofia | 3-4 | CSKA Sofia |
| Salzburg vs Pafos | 4-3 | Salzburg |
| Hradec Králové vs Beşiktaş | 0-2 | Beşiktaş |
| PAOK vs Anderlecht | 2-4 | Anderlecht |
| Benfica vs Hearts | 7-2 | Benfica |
UEFA Europa League play-off fixtures
The play-off draw has set the following ties:
| First leg, 20 August | Second leg, 27 August |
| Kairat Almaty vs Anderlecht | Anderlecht vs Kairat Almaty |
| Jagiellonia Białystok vs Iberia Tbilisi | Iberia Tbilisi vs Jagiellonia Białystok |
| Mjällby vs Salzburg | Salzburg vs Mjällby |
| Trabzonspor vs Ferencváros | Ferencváros vs Trabzonspor |
| Universitatea Craiova vs Ararat-Armenia | Ararat-Armenia vs Universitatea Craiova |
| Egnatia vs Lillestrøm | Lillestrøm vs Egnatia |
| Beşiktaş vs Kauno Žalgiris | Kauno Žalgiris vs Beşiktaş |
| Sint-Truidense vs Omonia | Omonia vs Sint-Truidense |
| Crvena Zvezda vs Viktoria Plzeň | Viktoria Plzeň vs Crvena Zvezda |
| OFI Crete vs CSKA Sofia | CSKA Sofia vs OFI Crete |
| Benfica vs Aarhus | Aarhus vs Benfica |
| Lech Poznań or Klaksvík vs Thun | Thun vs Lech Poznań or Klaksvík |
What is at stake in the play-offs?
The 12 play-off winners will qualify for the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase. The defeated clubs will transfer to the UEFA Conference League league phase.
The Europa League league-phase draw is scheduled for 28 August 2026. The competition uses a 36-team league phase rather than the previous group-stage format.
Follow Europa League updates
For live scores, fixture alerts and football statistics across the European season, use the SP Score App.
FAQs
When are the UEFA Europa League play-off matches?
The first legs are scheduled for 20 August 2026, with the return fixtures on 27 August 2026.
What happens to Europa League play-off winners?
They qualify for the 2026/27 Europa League league phase.
What happens to teams that lose in the Europa League play-offs?
They enter the UEFA Conference League league phase.
Does the Europa League still have a group stage?
No. UEFA now uses a 36-team league phase.
Conclusion
The Europa League play-offs are the final qualifying test before the league phase begins. Benfica, Anderlecht, Ferencváros, Beşiktaş and Salzburg are among the clubs still competing for a place in the 2026/27 competition. 18+ only. Bet responsibly.
[…] The first legs were played on 20 August. For the route into this round and the full play-off pairings, see SportPesa South Africa’s Europa League third qualifying round results and play-off fixtures. […]