The UEFA Europa League Final with Hungry Horse

As the 55th edition of Europe's second-tier club competition draws to a close, we're looking ahead to the UEFA Europa League Final and reflecting on a brilliant year of football throughout the 2025/26 season. The 2026 Europa League Final marks the end of the 55th edition of the Europa League, and the second in the new Europa League format, where all 36 teams compete in the first-round league phase.

The teams are competing for a massive prize, too; not only do the champions lift the heaviest silverware in the UEFA cabinet, the UEFA Europa League trophy, they also gain automatic entry to the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League, Europe's first-tier club football competition, and the opportunity to face the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final winners in the 2027 UEFA Super Cup. 

Who is playing in the Europa League Final? 

The 2025/26 Europa League Final will see only two teams competing for the trophy out of a possible 36. Those two teams will be decided through the results of each stage, with the final two confirmed after the semi-finals on the 30th of April and the 7th of May 2026. 

Here are the teams with the best chances of making it to the final: 

Aston Villa 

Villa, as current favourites, are the most likely team to lift the Europa League trophy. Unai Emery's stellar record in European competitions speaks for itself, with the Spaniard leading multiple teams to multiple titles throughout his career. However, complications among the board might impact the team throughout the late stages of the tournament. 

Nottingham Forest 

As the second English side in the tournament, Forest could be an underdog in this year's competition. Forest manager Sean Dyche has less experience at the top of the league, but the team has some strong players that could give them the edge they've been needing.

Celtic 

Under new (sort of) manager Martin O'Neill, Celtic could see a repeat of the 2004 UEFA Cup season, which saw them reach the final. Hopes are high for the Scottish side this year!

Lyon and Roma 

Both European teams are stacked with key players, giving them both great odds to make it to the later stages of the Europa League. Depending on the matchups in the knockout round, Lyon has a good chance of making it to the final relatively unscathed – as long as there are no injuries between now and then. For either team, an injury could spell the end of their Europa League run.

Who are the most likely Europa League winners? 

At the moment, Aston Villa have the best chance of winning the Europa League Final, but we'll be happy to see any of our British teams taking the trophy! 

A brief history of the UEFA Europa League Final 

The UEFA Europa League was established in 1971, originally known as the UEFA Cup, and merged with the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2009. Since its creation, the Europa League has risen in significance, earning many clubs titles, silverware and unmatched competition. 

Who won the 2024/25 Europa League Final? 

Tottenham Hotspur were the 2025 Europa League winners, bringing the Europa League trophy back to England after Atalanta's 2024 victory. 

Who qualifies for the Europa League? 

Depending on the league, clubs can qualify for the Europa League by finishing in the top positions of their domestic league. In the Premier League, that's the fifth-place finisher and the winner of the FA Cup, while in Scotland, that's the third-place finisher in the Premiership and the winner of the Scottish Cup.