Polsat TV has acquired exclusive rights to broadcast and stream the new format of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League for the next three seasons. The new formula will provide more matches, increasing competitiveness of the games. Each team will have the assurance of playing against attractive opponents, including the guarantee of matches against the strongest teams in the respective competitions. The total for each season is 189 Europa League matches and 153 Conference League matches. In the upcoming season, European brands such as Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea London, Atlhletic Bilbao, AS Roma, Lazio Rome and FC Porto, among others, will compete for victory in both leagues, alongside, we hope, Polish teams.
"We are very pleased that Polsat TV has acquired exclusive rights from UEFA to show the Europa League and the Conference League in Poland. We are pleased with the fantastic cooperation with UEFA and are convinced that the Europa League and the Conference League in the new formula of the games will be an excellent product and an attractive offer for soccer fans. It is in the Europa League or the Conference League that we have a chance to see Polish teams, which in 31 years have unfortunately only made it to the Champions League 3 times. Our competition will be a chance to see both Polish teams and European giants, such as Manchester United, London's Tottenham and Chelsea, AS Roma or FC Porto." – says Marian Kmita, Polsat TV Sports Director.
The expanded UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League get a new format
The new league format increases the number of teams in each competition and will allow fans not only to see more great games, but also to watch very attractive matches earlier in the competition, which was not always the case in the group stage of the old format.
The new format will introduce a better competitive balance among all teams, with the possibility for each team to play against a variety of very attractive opponents as they compete throughout the league phase.
Every match counts. The new league format will ensure that any result can dramatically change a team's position, up to and including the last match day of this phase. A victory or defeat in the last match of the league phase can determine whether a team automatically qualifies for the top 16, enters the play-off phase, or is eliminated from the competition altogether.
Format of the games
The UEFA Europa League – 189 games per season, with hopefully Polish teams, as well as Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Olympique Lyon, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad or FC Porto, among others – will have one table and 36 teams. Each team will play 8 games against different opponents – 4 at home and 4 away. Teams from places 1-8 will qualify for the knockout stage, 9-24 will play for the remaining 8 places in the 1/8 finals, and those from places 25-36 will drop out of the competition. The winner of the UEFA Europa League is automatically guaranteed a place in the next edition of the UEFA Champions League.
The UEFA Conference League – 153 games per season – is the only European cup that London's Chelsea FC does not yet have in its collection, and for which it will play along with, among others, Real Betis Sevilla or AC Fiorentina and, let's keep our fingers crossed, our Polish clubs. The UEFA Conference League will have one table and 36 teams. Each team will play 6 games against different opponents – 3 at home and 3 away. Teams from places 1-8 will qualify for the knockout stage, 9-24 will play for the remaining 8 places in the 1/8 finals, and those from places 25-36 will drop out of the competition. The winner of the UEFA Conference League is automatically guaranteed a place in the next edition of the UEFA Europa League.
