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The 2026 Europa League final pits Aston Villa against Freiburg in the biggest game in recent memory for both teams.
Unai Emery and his Villa side overcame a 1-0 deficit from the first leg against Nottingham Forest to progress 4-1 on aggregate after a demolition job in the second leg. Freiburg themselves had to overcome a first-leg loss to Braga, 2-1, to win 3-1 in the second and book their place in the final.
Now the two teams meet in Istanbul to compete for UEFA’s second biggest prize and a place in the history books. Below, we let you know all you need to know so that you are fully in the know ahead of Wednesday’s game.
Freiburg v Aston Villa key information
• Date: Wednesday, May 20th
• Kick-off time: 20:00 BST
• Venue: Besiktas Park, Istanbul
• Referee: François Letexier
• VAR: Jérôme Brisard
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
• Odds: FRE (17/4) - Draw (11/4) - AVL (4/6)
Freiburg's journey to the final
This match will be a truly historic one for fans of SC Freiburg. The German side has never won a major trophy, let alone come close to one. Their best Europa League performance before this season was an appearance in the round of 16 in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.
This campaign started well for them with a 2-1 home win against Basel to set them on the road to finish seventh in the league phase, losing only once, after they had already qualified for the knockouts (5W, 2D).
The round of 16 did not start the best, however, losing 1-0 to Genk in the first leg. The second leg was another massive turnaround for Freiburg as they won 5-1 at home. Against Celta Vigo in the quarter-finals, they won 6-1 on aggregate, before the aforementioned turnaround against Braga in the semis.
Aston Villa's journey to the final
Led by serial Europa League winner Unai Emery, Villa always had their eyes on this final. In the group phase, they finished second, winning seven and losing only once. The Villains would not lose again until the first leg of the semifinals against Forest, as they won every other game.
They beat Lille and Bologna before Forest and head to the final full of momentum.
Key players
All eyes will be on the goal scorers for both teams. Villa have outscored Freiburg by three goals over the course of the competition, showing that there is not much between the two after 14 games each.
No player has more goal involvements in the competition than Freiburg’s Vincenzo Grifo this season (G5, A4). He has been involved in at least one goal in each of his last five appearances in the competition (G3, A3), meaning Ezri Konsa will have his work cut out for him in Villa’s back line.
Villa have their own dangerous striker in Ollie Watkins, who has hit form at the right time. The Englishman has six goal contributions in three matches (G4, A2), with all five of his UEL strikes this term having come in the knockout stages. He warmed up for this tie in great fashion, too, scoring a brace along with one assist against Liverpool on Friday.
Watkins will be up against Matthias Ginter in the Freiburg defence, who has played the most minutes in the UEL this season.
Where to watch
The Europa League final will be shown on TNT Sports in the UK. To watch, you need to have a subscription to HBO Max, and then you can stream the game.
Odds for Freiburg v Aston Villa
Aston Villa are favourites to win this game at bet365, being priced at 4/6. A Freiburg win is at 17/4, with a draw in normal time at 11/4.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.
FAQs
Where is the 2026 UEFA Europa League final being played?
In Istanbul, Turkey.
What time does the 2026 Europa League final kick off?
20:00 BST.
Which teams are playing in the 2026 Europa League final?
Freiburg and Aston Villa.
How can I watch the 2026 Europa League final live?
In the UK, you can watch the final live on TNT Sports.
Who are the favourites to win the 2026 Europa League final?
Aston Villa are the favourites to win.
Does the winner of the Europa League qualify for the Champions League?
Yes, the winners of the Europa League qualify for next season's Champions League.
What happens if the final ends in a draw after 90 minutes?
If the scores are level at full-time, the game will go to 30 minutes of extra time, and if the scores are still level at the end of extra time, the match goes to penalties.