⚖️ UEFA Conference League Round Of 16 Draw

The UEFA Conference League Round of 16 draw for the 2025/26 season was conducted on Friday, 27 February 2026, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. The draw has set up several compelling matchups as teams fight for a place in the final at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on 27 May 2026.

Round of 16 Matchups

The draw paired the eight winners of the knockout phase play-offs with the eight teams that received a bye as the top finishers in the league phase.

Home Team (1st Leg)	Away Team (1st Leg)	Dates
Crystal Palace (ENG)	AEK Larnaca (CYP)	12 & 19 March
ACF Fiorentina (ITA)	Raków Częstochowa (POL)	12 & 19 March
Lech Poznań (POL)	Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)	12 & 19 March
AZ Alkmaar (NED)	Sparta Praha (CZE)	12 & 19 March
Samsunspor (TUR)	Rayo Vallecano (ESP)	12 & 19 March
NK Celje (SLO)	AEK Athens (GRE)	12 & 19 March
SK Sigma Olomouc (CZE)	Mainz 05 (GER)	12 & 19 March
HNK Rijeka (CRO)	Strasbourg (FRA)	12 & 19 March

Key Storylines

• Crystal Palace's European Debut: Competing in their inaugural European campaign, the "Eagles" are currently favorites to win the tournament. Their tie against AEK Larnaca is a rematch from the league phase, where the Cypriot side secured a surprising 1-0 win at Selhurst Park.
• Fiorentina's Quest for Redemption: Having been runners-up in both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 editions, the Italian side is a seasoned contender looking to finally lift the trophy after reaching the semi-finals last season.
• Bracket Paths Revealed: The draw also determined the full bracket for the remainder of the tournament, meaning teams already know their potential opponents for the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
• Unfamiliar Matchups: Ties like Strasbourg vs. HNK Rijeka mark the first time these clubs have ever faced each other in competitive play.

Upcoming Knockout Schedule

• Round of 16: 12 and 19 March 2026.
• Quarter-finals: 9 and 16 April 2026.
• Semi-finals: 30 April and 7 May 2026.
• Final: 27 May 2026 at Leipzig Stadium, Germany.