The UEFA Europa League quarter-final line-up for the 2025-2026 season has been locked in, with heavyweight ties set to shape the run to the final.
Portuguese side Braga will face Real Betis, while Freiburg take on Celta Vigo. Former European champions Porto face Nottingham Forest, while Bologna take on Aston Villa.
The first legs begin on Wednesday, April 8, as Braga host Betis at 18:45 CET. The remaining three ties follow on Thursday 9 April, all kicking off at 21:00 CET. Return fixtures are scheduled for Thursday 16 April, with Celta hosting Freiburg earlier at 18:45 CET, while the other matches start at 21:00 CET. Winners across the ties will move into the semi-finals.
Bologna’s route to the last eight came dramatically. They edged past Roma 5-4 on aggregate after a breathless second leg in the Italian capital. Jonathan Rowe opened the scoring before Roma’s Evan Ndicka responded. Federico Bernardeschi restored Bologna’s advantage from the spot, and Santiago Castro added a third.
Roma rallied late through Donyell Malen’s penalty and Lorenzo Pellegrini’s strike, forcing extra time. Nicolo Cambiaghi proved decisive, firing home in the second period of extra time to send Bologna through.
In the UEFA Europa Conference League, the quarter-final draw also produced intriguing fixtures. AZ Alkmaar face Shakhtar Donetsk, Crystal Palace meet Fiorentina, Rayo Vallecano take on AEK Athens, while Mainz clash with Strasbourg.
Below are the UEFA Europa League Quarter-finals first leg fixtures
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Braga vs Real Betis
5:45 p.m.
Thursday, 9 April
Freiburg vs Celta Vigo
8 p.m.
Bologna vs Aston Villa
8 p.m.
Porto vs Nottingham Forest
8 p.m.
UEFA Europa Conference League Quarter-finals (Leg 2)
Thursday, 16 April
AEK Athens vs Rayo Vallecano
Strasbourg vs Mainz
AZ Alkmaar vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Fiorentina vs Crystal Palace
