Europa League Round of 16 schedule: Draw, fixtures, dates, format, teams and bracket for UEFA knockouts

UEFA Europa League draw balls pot
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We have finally reached the business end of the UEFA Europa League, as we prepare for the Round of 16.

Unlike the Champions League, the Europa League features a playoff round in February, where teams that finished second in their group compete against those who finished third in the Champions League group stages.

Already, we've witnessed some significant upsets, and we anticipate that the remainder of the knockout stages will offer the same level of drama.

The Sporting News explains who is in the Round of 16, how the competition works and the schedule for the rest of the knockout phase. 

MORE: How to watch Europa League action on TV, mobile and online

Which teams are in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16

As you'd expect, 16 teams have qualified for the Round of 16 following the competition's playoff games in February. 

Team Country
Sporting CP Portugal
Atalanta Italy
Qarabag FK Azerbaijan
Bayer Leverkusen Germany
Roma Italy
Brighton England
Sparta Prague Czech Republic
Liverpool England
AC Milan Italy
Slavia Prague Czech Republic
Benfica Portugal
Rangers Scotland
Freiburg Germany
West Ham England
Marseille France
Villarreal Spain

UEFA Europa League Round of 16 schedule

Round of 16 fixtures First leg Second leg
Sporting CP vs. Atalanta 1-1 March 14
Qarabag FK vs. Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 March 14
Roma vs. Brighton 4-0 March 14
Sparta Prague vs. Liverpool 1-5 March 14
AC Milan vs. Slavia Prague 4-2 March 14
Benfica vs. Rangers 2-2 March 14
Freiburg vs. West Ham 1-0 March 14
Marseille vs. Villarreal 4-0 March 14

How does the 2023/24 Europa League knockout stage work?

The eight group winners are the seeded teams for the Europa League Round of 16. They were drawn against the winners of the eight playoff ties, with the matches beginning on March 6, 2024.

At this point, the Europa League becomes a straightforward knockout competition. The team that wins via aggregate score in the two-legged Round of 16 ties progress to the quarterfinals — another two-legged affair — which take place over April 11 and 18.

The quarterfinal winners go on to the semifinals on May 2 and 9, from which two teams will reach the final.

If scores are level after both legs of any knockout game then extra-time and penalties, if needed, will decide the winner.

MORE: How does the Europa League work? 2023/2024 competition explained

When and where is the UEFA Europa League final?

The knockout round schedule, leading up to the final, is below. This year's final will take Dublin, Ireland. 

Round 1st Leg 2nd Leg
Round of 16 Mar. 6/7, 2024 Mar. 14, 2024
Quarterfinals Apr. 11, 2024 Apr. 18, 2024
Semifinals May 2, 2024 May 9, 2024
Final May 22, 2024 — Dublin Arena, Ireland
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Dominic is a freelance content editor and writer for The Sporting News.
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Brad is a social content producer for The Sporting News
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