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 |
Sporting CPs' record so far this season... 🥵
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 29, 2024
👕 37 games played
✅ Won 28
🤝 Drawn 5
❌ Lost 4#UEL pic.twitter.com/PWjwWi1TJj
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 | |