Nottingham Forest in the UEFA Europa Conference League 2025/26: A European Revival
A New Dawn at the City Ground
After years of battling relegation, rebuilding the squad, and striving to re-establish themselves in the Premier League, Nottingham Forest have finally achieved something remarkable — qualification for European competition. Despite ending the 2024/25 campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, the result was ultimately academic. Forest had done enough over the course of the season to secure their place in the 2025/26 UEFA Europa Conference League.
It’s been more than two decades since Forest featured on a European stage. Once European champions under the legendary Brian Clough, Forest are a club steeped in continental heritage. Now, under Nuno Espírito Santo and backed by ambitious ownership, they will return to European football with eyes on reviving their legacy — and writing a new chapter.
The Achievement in Context
Very few pundits expected Forest to finish in a European qualifying spot. The squad, while talented, was still seen as one in transition. Key players like Morgan Gibbs-White, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Murillo had moments of brilliance, while manager Nuno Espírito Santo brought structure and resilience to a previously inconsistent side.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis — whose Olympiacos side won the Conference League in 2024 — has long spoken about his ambitions for Forest to return to European prominence. This qualification is the first real step toward realizing that vision. And it could be historic: Marinakis has the opportunity to become the first club owner to lift the Conference League trophy with two different clubs.
How the Conference League Works
The UEFA Europa Conference League is the third tier of European club competition, behind the Champions League and Europa League. While some see it as a ‘lesser’ competition, its value cannot be overstated for developing teams. It offers European exposure, financial rewards, UEFA coefficient points, and the possibility of silverware.
The competition is made up of:
A qualification phase (four rounds)
A 32-team group stage
Knockout rounds leading to a final
Because of England’s strong UEFA ranking and Forest’s domestic league position, the club has been granted a bye into the Play-off Round — meaning they only need to win one two-legged tie to reach the group stage.
Key Dates and Timeline
Here’s the full calendar breakdown of Nottingham Forest’s European journey in 2025/26.
Qualification Stage
Play-off Round Draw:
4 August 2025
UEFA will draw pairings for the final qualification round. Forest will face an opponent that has advanced through earlier qualifying rounds, potentially from nations like Austria, Belgium, Turkey, or Eastern Europe. These clubs will likely be in mid-season form, making this a tough test.
Play-off Round Fixtures:
First Leg: 21 August 2025 (Away or Home)
Second Leg: 28 August 2025 (Return leg)
These matches fall right after the first two Premier League weekends, meaning squad rotation and tactical adaptability will be vital.
Win the play-off, and Forest will enter the group stage — their first major European involvement since the 1990s.
Group Stage: Welcome to Europe
Once through the play-off round, Forest will be drawn into one of eight groups in the main group stage. Each group contains four teams from across Europe. The top team advances directly to the Round of 16, while second place enters a play-off round against a Europa League third-placed team.
Group Stage Fixtures:
Matchday 1: 2 October 2025
Matchday 2: 23 October 2025
Matchday 3: 6 November 2025
Matchday 4: 27 November 2025
Matchday 5: 11 December 2025
Matchday 6: 18 December 2025
Forest will play three home matches at the City Ground, which is expected to sell out for every European night. The atmosphere under the lights by the Trent will be electric, especially for fans who have waited decades to see their team compete on the continental stage.
Knockout Rounds: The Business End
Should Forest reach the knockout phase, they’ll join a pool of teams with serious ambitions. At this point, every match is do-or-die, with home and away legs determining who advances.
Knockout Play-off Round (If Forest finish 2nd in group):
First Leg: 19 February 2026
Second Leg: 26 February 2026
This round matches Conference League runners-up against Europa League drop-outs — teams that are typically strong, with European pedigree.
Round of 16:
First Leg: 12 March 2026
Second Leg: 19 March 2026
Quarter-finals:
First Leg: 9 April 2026
Second Leg: 16 April 2026
Semi-finals:
First Leg: 30 April 2026
Second Leg: 7 May 2026
Final:
Date: 26 May 2026
Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany
Capacity: Approx. 47,000
The final will be held at one of Germany’s premier stadiums, and reaching it would represent a seismic moment in Forest’s modern history.
Squad Considerations and Transfer Outlook
To truly compete on multiple fronts, Forest will need to strengthen in the summer. Key areas include:
Depth in midfield (especially creative options)
A reliable backup striker for Taiwo Awoniyi
European experience in defense or central midfield
There has also been speculation surrounding star players — particularly Morgan Gibbs-White, who has drawn interest from Manchester City. Whether Forest can hold onto him or reinvest wisely will be critical to their campaign.
The Bigger Picture: More Than Just Matches
For Forest fans, this campaign is about more than football. It’s a reward for loyalty during years in the Championship, for enduring false dawns, and for sticking with the club through thick and thin. It’s about reconnecting with their European roots, evoking memories of Munich, Madrid, and Malmö.
Young fans will get their first taste of European football. Long-time supporters will relive the pride of their Clough-era dominance. The City Ground will buzz with European anthems, rival flags, and emotional nights under the floodlights.
Final Thoughts: The Journey Starts Now
As the 2025/26 season dawns, Nottingham Forest stand on the edge of something special. From fighting for Premier League survival to walking into European stadiums across the continent, the club has come a long way in a short time.
Yes, there will be challenges. European competition tests squad depth, focus, and travel endurance. But it also builds character, reputation, and dreams.
And who knows? If all goes well, maybe Forest’s name will be etched into European history once again — this time in Leipzig, on May 26, 2026.