TSG's Europa League roadmap

The key dates for TSG Hoffenheim:

Draw for the group stages: 2 October in Athens

Matchday 1: 22 October

Matchday 2: 29 October

Matchday 3: 5 November

Matchday 4: 26 November

Matchday 5: 3 December

Matchday 6: 10 December

Round of 32: 18–25 February

Round of 16: 11–18 March

Quarter-final: 8–15 April

Semi-final: 29 April–6 May

Final: 26 May in Danzig

The possible opponents

In total, 48 teams will take part in the Europa League group stages. Given that the majority of international leagues are still ongoing and 31 of the 48 participating clubs will book their spots in the group stages via the qualifying rounds, only a few possible opponents are already confirmed. In addition to TSG Hoffenheim, SSC Napoli, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Feyenoord and OSC Lille are guaranteed a place in the competition.

In addition, the fifth-placed clubs in Serie A, the Premier League and the Primera Division, plus the third-placed team in the Austrian Bundesliga, will qualify directly for the group stages. As will the respective cup winners in Spain, England, France, Turkey, Russia, Belgium, Portugal and Ukraine, provided that they have not already secured themselves a starting berth in the Europa League or Champions League through their domestic league.

Which pot are TSG in?

The seeding for the group stages is determined by UEFA coefficients. These consists of a basic score for the respective league and the points collected in the last five years of international competition. Based on this calculation, TSG Hoffenheim will have a coefficient of 14,271. However, it will not become clear which pot TSG will be allocated to until the qualifiers are over. But it is likely that Hoffenheim will be allocated to pot two or three.

What does participation mean for the Bundesliga season?

The DFL calendar for next season has not yet been announced, but what we do know is that TSG Hoffenheim will play their Bundesliga fixtures on Sundays or Mondays if they have been in Europa League action that week. As a result, the Bundesliga fixtures that follow those games will be scheduled for the following dates: 25/26 October, 1/2 November, 8/9 November, 29/30 November, 6/7 December and 13/14 December.

That means that Hoffenheim supporters can look forward to at least six English weeks in the 2020/21 season, with midweek DFB Cup ties and Bundesliga matches a possibility as well.