The UEFA Conference League has just dropped its league phase fixtures for the 2025/26 season, signaling a fresh chapter under the revamped format that's got clubs and fans buzzing. On October 2, the draw in Nyon laid out the schedule for all 36 teams, promising a more intense grind from the get-go. Indeed, this isn't your standard group stage anymore; it's a straight-up league phase where every match counts toward the standings.
Take Chelsea, last season's winners—they're sidelined from defending their title because of the new rules. No more dropping down from the Europa League mid-way; the Conference League now stands on its own, with the champion earning a direct ticket to next year's Europa League. It's a bold move by UEFA to level the playing field, but one that raises eyebrows about whether smaller clubs will truly benefit or just face steeper odds against the bigger names.
Fixtures highlight some intriguing clashes right away. For instance, early games pit teams like Basel against Dinamo Zagreb, while British sides such as West Ham and Brighton gear up for tough away trips. The phase runs from September through January, with each team playing eight matches—four home, four away—against varied opponents drawn from pots. Moreover, the final's set for the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on May 28, 2026, a neutral ground that should amp up the drama without home-soil bias.
However, not everyone's thrilled. Critics point out that the expanded format, now mirroring the Champions and Europa Leagues, could dilute the competition's underdog charm. With 141 clubs entering the qualifying rounds this summer, the path to glory feels longer and more grueling for the minnows. Still, recent qualifiers showed promise, like Partizan's narrow escape in the playoffs.
Indeed, as teams digest these schedules, the real test will be adapting to the chaos of this single league table. One wonders if it'll spark more upsets or just reinforce the hierarchy.