A ridiculously exciting Europa League reality has become clear for West Ham as key draw and match dates are unveiled.
We’ll never tire of saying this but in case you didn’t know – West Ham are European champions.
A phrase that will never get boring after the thrilling last minute Europa Conference League final win over Fiorentina a week ago.
Not only did that end West Ham’s 43-year major trophy drought, it also sealed qualification for the group stages of next season’s Europa League too.
It is a return to the competition in which West Ham came agonisingly close to making the final the season before.
Fans may already be aware that the club’s exploits in Europe over the last couple of seasons and the Premier League’s standing means the Hammers are top seeds.
Ridiculously exciting Europa League reality becomes clear for West Ham as key draw and match dates are unveiled
That means the club will avoid the true big hitters at the group stage.
But who is involved in UEFA’s second tier competition next season that West Ham may face on another European adventure?
A ridiculously exciting Europa League reality has become clear for West Ham as teams and key draw and match dates are unveiled.
If you have been following our coverage you will know UEFA has selected the Dublin Arena as the venue for the final.
And West Ham will get an incredible double chance at European glory next season.
As if the last couple of seasons have not been exciting enough for Hammers supporters, there are some truly mouthwatering potential matches in prospect next term.
Pot 1 is extremely strong with West Ham joined by Liverpool, this season’s finalists Roma, Ajax, Villarreal, Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta and Sporting.
Some absolutely unbelievable potential ties in prospect for Hammers
Other notable teams who – some subject to coming through qualifying rounds – could be opponents for the Hammers somewhere along the line are Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal’s former club Slavia Prague and Nayef Aguerd’s old team – and West Ham’s pre-season opponents – Rennes.
Then there is PSV Eindhoven, Olympiacos, Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis and Dimitri Payet’s Marseille to name but a few.
Those that don’t qualify for the 2023/24 Europa League group stages automatically will make their way through the play-offs which begin on 10 August 2023 and conclude on 31 August 2023.
The first round of play-off slots are made up of sides that finished third in leagues ranked between seventh and 14th according to UEFA’s coefficient (excluding Russia, which remains banned for its ongoing war against Ukraine).
West Ham are straight into the groups as a result of their Europa Conference League triumph.
Key match dates for the Europa League 2023/24
Third qualifying round: 10 and 17 August 2023
Play-offs: 24 and 31 August 2023
When are the 2023/24 Europa League group stage matches?
Matchday 1: 21 September 2023
Matchday 2: 5 October 2023
Matchday 3: 26 October 2023
Matchday 4: 9 November 2023
Matchday 5: 30 November 2023
Matchday 6: 14 December 2023
When are the 2023/24 Europa League knockout stage matches?
Knockout round play-offs: 15 and 22 February 2024
Round of 16: 7 and 14 March 2024
Quarter-finals: 11 and 18 April 2024
Semi-finals: 2 and 9 May 2024
Final: 22 May 2024
When are the 2023/24 Europa League draws?
Third qualifying round: 24 July 2023
Play-off round: 7 August 2023
Group stage: 1 September 2023
Knockout round play-off: 18 December 2023
Round of 16: 23 February 2024
Quarter-finals & Semi-finals: 15 March 2024
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