The final phase of the 2002–03 UEFA Cup began on 26 November 2002 with the first matches of the third round and concluded on 21 May 2003 with the final at the Estadio Olímpico in Seville, Spain.
Times up to 30 March 2003 (quarter-finals) were CET (UTC+1), and thereafter (semi-finals and final) CEST (UTC+2).
The team that scored more goals on aggregate over the two legs advanced to the next round.
If the aggregate score was level, the away goals rule was applied, i.e., the team that scored more goals away from home over the two legs advanced.
If away goals were also equal, then thirty minutes of extra time (two fifteen-minute periods) was played.
For the first time in an international football tournament, the silver goal system was applied, whereby the team who leads the game at the half-time break during the extra time period would be declared the winner.
The away goals rule was again applied after extra time, i.e., if there were goals scored during extra time and the aggregate score was still level, the visiting team advanced by virtue of more away goals scored.
If no goals were scored during extra time, the tie was decided by penalty shoot-out.
In the final, which was played as a single match, if scores were level at the end of normal time, extra time was played.
If, on completion of the first period of extra time, one of the teams had scored more goals than the other, the silver goal rule was applied, i.e., the match ended and that team was declared the winner.
The final was played on 21 May 2003 at the Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla in Seville, Spain.