The UEFA Europa League begins its 2026-27 campaign with the first qualifying round, as first legs are scheduled for July 9 and return fixtures for July 16.
This stage features clubs seeking a strong early step on a long route toward the league phase, with any early setback capable of reshaping their season.
The competition’s current format keeps the qualifying rounds highly significant because they determine many of the teams that remain in contention.
With the ties taking place during the summer transfer window, supporters will also be watching how ready teams are physically and tactically before the major domestic leagues return.