Conference League Play-Offs Set Up High-Stakes Battles Across Europe
Sixteen teams fight for the final eight places
While eight clubs await in the round of 16, sixteen more must survive the knockout phase play-offs to join them. This group features a fascinating mix of traditional powers, tournament specialists and debutants eager to make history.
Italian side Fiorentina headline the play-offs after finishing runners-up in the competition twice, while AZ Alkmaar return with strong Conference League pedigree, having reached the semi-finals in 2022/23. Crystal Palace and Samsunspor are experiencing European football at this level for the first time, adding intrigue to the tie list.
Breakthrough moments on the line
Several clubs are already celebrating landmark achievements. Kosovo’s Drita became the first team from the country to reach a UEFA knockout phase, while KuPS Kuopio and Lausanne-Sport are pushing beyond previous European limits after debut league phase campaigns. Slovenian champions Celje continue to punch above their weight following last season’s quarter-final run.
Poland are strongly represented through Lech Poznań and Jagiellonia Białystok, both of whom carry recent domestic success into Europe. Sigma Olomouc and Rijeka, meanwhile, are contesting their first knockout ties after navigating the new league phase format.
Knockout phase play-off teams
The 16 teams competing in the play-offs are:
- AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands)
- Celje (Slovenia)
- Crystal Palace (England)
- Drita (Kosovo)
- Fiorentina (Italy)
- Jagiellonia Białystok (Poland)
- KuPS Kuopio (Finland)
- Lausanne-Sport (Switzerland)
- Lech Poznań (Poland)
- Noah (Armenia)
- Omonoia (Cyprus)
- Rijeka (Croatia)
- Samsunspor (Türkiye)
- Shkëndija (North Macedonia)
- Sigma Olomouc (Czechia)
- Zrinjski (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
With contrasting styles, unfamiliar opponents and progression on the line, the play-offs are set to define the narrative of the Conference League knockout stage.
