Key Takeaways:
- Crystal Palace secured a 2-0 home victory over Zrinjski on Thursday to earn a round of 16 tie with AEK Larnaca
- The round of 16 draw occurred on Friday afternoon, with ties scheduled for 12th and 19th March
- The Conference League final will take place in Leipzig on Wednesday, 27th May
Round of 16 Draw Overview
Following their progression past Zrinjski with a 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park last night, Crystal Palace have been drawn against Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in the Conference League round of 16. The draw, conducted on Friday afternoon, has shaped the route for Europe’s remaining hopefuls, with Fiorentina drawn against Rakow, ranked as second seeds.
Crystal Palace, aiming for their first-ever European trophy, will encounter AEK Larnaca after showing improved form compared to their initially unconvincing display in Bosnia eight days ago.
The road to Leipzig 🏆#UECLdraw pic.twitter.com/K1LdMN9coe
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) February 27, 2026
Key Fixtures and Seeds
With the return of the top eight sides from the League Phase, the challenge intensifies. Strasbourg, who remain unbeaten and are now under the stewardship of Gary O’Neil, will go head-to-head with Rijeka following the Croatian side’s victory over Omonia in both legs. Fiorentina, notable semi-finalists, edged past Jagiellonia in a dramatic play-off and now prepare to face another Polish club, Rakow.
AZ Alkmaar have been paired with Sparta Prague, whilst third seeds AEK Athens face Celje. Rayo Vallecano, representing La Liga as the only Spanish side in the competition, will battle Samsunspor, with Shakhtar – sixth seed from the League Phase – meeting Lech Poznan.
Full Conference League Round of 16 Draw
| Fixture | First Leg (Home) | Second Leg (Away) |
|---|---|---|
| Lech Poznan vs Shakhtar | Lech Poznan | Shakhtar |
| AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Prague | AZ Alkmaar | Sparta Prague |
| Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca | Crystal Palace | AEK Larnaca |
| Fiorentina vs Rakow | Fiorentina | Rakow |
| Samsunspor vs Rayo Vallecano | Samsunspor | Rayo Vallecano |
| Celje vs AEK Athens | Celje | AEK Athens |
| Sigma Olomouc vs Mainz | Sigma Olomouc | Mainz |
| Rijeka vs Strasbourg | Rijeka | Strasbourg |
The first legs of these ties are set for 12th March, with the return fixtures scheduled for 19th March. Hosts for the opening legs are listed first in each pairing.
Potential Quarter- and Semi-Final Paths
The pathway to the Leipzig final has now been mapped out, enabling clubs to size up possible future opponents. Should Fiorentina progress, they could meet Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals, with a potential semi-final matchup against Sparta Prague on the horizon. Sigma Olomouc, seeded lowest, would face Strasbourg in the quarters should they defeat Mainz. Strasbourg, meanwhile, have ambitions to go all the way, with a probable semi-final clash against Rayo Vallecano of La Liga if the draw unfolds as seeded.
The Road to Leipzig
All roads now lead to the final in Leipzig, set for Wednesday, 27th May, where the survived contenders will vie for continental glory.
