So, we've qualified for the UEFA Europa League group stage for the first time...
West Ham United’s second top-six Premier League finish in the Club’s 25 years in the competition – and sixth top-six finish in 102 years since joining the Football League – was a significant and historic achievement.
Not only does it mean the Hammers earned themselves a place in this season’s UEFA Europa League group stage, but it also means the Club will receive welcome revenue for their achievement from a combination of their equal share, facility fees, merit payment and overseas broadcast income.
With a European campaign to plan for alongside the Premier League, EFL Cup (West Ham enter at the third round) and FA Cup, the Irons could be looking at playing over 50 first team matches in 2021/22 so there is lots to be excited about!
Isn’t the Europa League going to be a different competition this season?
Yes, it is. The re-introduction of a third European competition, the UEFA Conference League, means the 2021/22 UEFA Europa League will be a streamlined competition.
The Europa League group stage will be contested by just 32 teams, rather than the 48 who were involved last season, with eight more dropping in from the UEFA Champions League in the knockout play-off round that follows.
The initial 32 group-stage teams will be comprised of two each from England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain and one each from Portugal and Russia, ten winners from the Europa League Play-Off round, six teams eliminated from the UEFA Champions League Play-Off round and four eliminated from the Champions League third qualifying round (League Path).
They will be drawn into eight groups of four, with the eight group winners qualifying directly for the Round of 16 knockout phase.
The eight group-stage runners-up will contest a preliminary knockout round in ties against the eight clubs who finish third in their UEFA Champions League groups for the right to join them.
The 16 remaining teams will then be gradually whittled down to two, who will contest the final at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in Seville, Spain, on 18 May 2022.
When will the draw take place?
The draw for the UEFA Europa League group stage will be held in Istanbul in Turkey, on Friday 27 August 2021 from 11am UK time.
It will be conducted by former Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop and former Villarreal and Spain midfielder Marcos Senna.
Where are we seeded in our group?
Our position in the draw is governed by which other 31 clubs are taking part in the group stage and our 2021 UEFA club coefficient (CC).
West Ham United’s CC is 20.113.
Our CC is calculated as 20% of England’s coefficient over the last five seasons (100.565), as this figure is higher than the points we collected ourselves for reaching the UEFA Europa League Play-Off round in 2016/17.
Clubs who have competed in Europe regularly in recent seasons have higher CCs and will therefore receive a higher seeding in the draw. For example, Lyon’s CC is 76.000, Napoli’s is 74.000 and Leicester’s is 32.000, so all three would receive higher seedings than the Hammers.
So, to cut a long story short, we are seeded in Pot 3.
Once the draw has taken place, clubs will hold discussions with each other, UEFA and other relevant stakeholders to decide and confirm the fixture list.
So, who could we play against?
West Ham United are in Pot 3, which means we can be drawn against any of the 24 teams in Pots 1, 2 and 4, except for Leicester City, who are in Pot 2, as you cannot face an opponent from your own country in the group stage.
As such, our 23 potential opponents are as follows:
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 4 |
| Lyon (France) | Celtic (Scotland) | Rapid Wien (Austria) |
| Napoli (Italy) | Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) | Galatasaray (Turkey) |
| Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) | Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) | Legia Warsaw (Poland) |
| Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) | Rangers (Scotland) | Midtjylland (Denmark) |
| Lazio (Italy) | Lokomotiv Moscow (Russia) | Ferencvaros (Hungary) |
| Olympiacos (Greece) | Genk (Belgium) | Royal Antwerp (Belgium) |
| Monaco (France) | PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) | Sturm Graz (Austria) |
| Braga (Portugal) | Brondby (Denmark) |
At present, UEFA have not confirmed if away supporters will be permitted to attend Europa League group stage matches this season. A decision on this will not be known until Wednesday 1 September at the earliest. An update will provided to our supporters as soon as possible, including details of any travel restrictions that may be in place. Supporters are advised not to make any travel arrangements for our away fixtures in the Europa League until further guidance is provided. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.
When will our group-stage matches take place?
Our six group-stage fixtures will be held on Thursday evenings throughout the autumn as follows:
Group stage
16 September 2021: Matchday 1
30 September 2021: Matchday 2
21 October 2021: Matchday 3
4 November 2021: Matchday 4
25 November 2021: Matchday 5
9 December 2021: Matchday 6
Should we progress as group winners, we will not play again until 10 and 17 March in the Round of 16. Should we progress as group runners-up, we will take on a UEFA Champions League third-place opponent on 17 and 24 February. Should we finish third in the group, we would then be transferred to the knock-out stages of the UEFA Conference League. The remainder of the competition is detailed below:
Knockout stages
17 & 24 February 2022: Knockout round play-offs
10 & 17 March 2022: Round of 16
7 & 14 April 2022: Quarter-finals
28 May & 5 May 2022: Semi-finals
18 May 2022: Final.
