Celje Learn Their Europa League Opponents

Celje Face an Exciting European Challenge

NK Celje now know the road ahead in their European campaign. During today’s UEFA Europa League draw in Monaco, the Slovenian champions were handed a demanding but highly attractive schedule for the league phase.

Celje will welcome four opponents to Stadion Z’dežele: Greek giants Olympiacos, Austrian champions Salzburg, Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia and Dutch club NEC Nijmegen. The home matches are expected to provide memorable European evenings for the Celje supporters.

On the road, the Slovenian champions will face German side Bayer Leverkusen, Hungarian club Ferencváros, Austrian outfit Sturm Graz and Ararat-Armenia. The meeting with Ararat-Armenia will be particularly interesting, as the two clubs have already faced each other during this season’s Champions League qualifying campaign.

Strong Names on the Schedule

The draw has brought several major European names to Celje’s schedule. Bayer Leverkusen represent the most demanding away challenge on paper, while Olympiacos also bring considerable international experience and a strong European tradition.

Matches against Salzburg, Ferencváros and Sturm Graz will offer another serious test for the Slovenian champions. These opponents are experienced in European competition and will demand discipline, intensity and concentration from Celje over the full 90 minutes.

At the same time, the fixtures against Omonia Nicosia, NEC Nijmegen and Ararat-Armenia could provide Celje with valuable opportunities to compete for points and improve their position in the league-phase standings.

A New European Format

As in the UEFA Champions League, the Europa League now features one league table instead of traditional groups. Each team plays eight matches against eight different opponents, with four games at home and four away.

The top eight teams in the standings will advance directly to the round of 16. Teams finishing between ninth and 24th place will enter an additional knockout play-off, while the remaining clubs will see their European campaign come to an end.

Celje Ready for a Historic European Autumn

After missing out on the Champions League league phase, Celje will now turn their attention to the Europa League. The draw has given the club a mixture of elite opposition, experienced European teams and challenging but competitive fixtures.

For the players, coaching staff and supporters, the upcoming campaign represents another important step in the club’s rapid rise. Celje will have the opportunity to test themselves against some of Europe’s best teams while continuing to build their reputation on the international stage.

The European autumn promises to be a special one in Celje, with eight demanding matches and the chance to create another memorable chapter in the club’s history.

NK Celje’s Europa League Opponents

Home matches

• Olympiacos
• Salzburg
• Omonia Nicosia
• NEC Nijmegen

Away matches

• Bayer Leverkusen
• Ferencváros
• Sturm Graz
• Ararat-Armenia

Competition Details

Competition: UEFA Europa League 2026/27 – League Phase

Draw venue: Monaco

NK Celje: Four home matches and four away matches

Opponents: Olympiacos, Salzburg, Omonia Nicosia, NEC Nijmegen, Bayer Leverkusen, Ferencváros, Sturm Graz and Ararat-Armenia

Sources: RTV Slovenija, UEFA