The stadium was originally appointed to host the 2020 UEFA Europa League Final, but this was moved due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe in 2020.

They were unable to defend their title as they advanced to the Champions League knockout stage, and were eliminated by Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16.

[6] Apart from the allocation based on the country coefficients, associations could have additional teams participating in the Champions League, as noted below: The following was the access list for this season.

When a place was vacated, it was redistributed within the national association by the following rules: In early April 2020, UEFA announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, the deadline for entering the tournament had been postponed until further notice.

[8] UEFA also sent a letter to all member associations that domestic leagues must be completed in full without ending prematurely in order to qualify for European competitions.

A suspended domestic competition could also be restarted with a different format from the original one in a manner which would still facilitate qualification on sporting merit.

The group stage draw was originally to be held at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, Greece, but UEFA announced on 9 September 2020 that it would be relocated to Nyon.

[45] The original schedule of the competition, as planned before the pandemic, was as follows (all draws were to be held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, unless stated otherwise).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, the following special rules were applicable to the competition:[46][47] On 24 September 2020, UEFA announced that five substitutions would be permitted from the group stage onward, with a sixth allowed in extra time.

[49] Video assistant referees were not introduced for the group stage as planned (now to start in 2021–22), but were still used in the knockout phase.

The game was rescheduled to 22 August, with Prishtina using UEFA regulations to sign on emergency loan players from rival Kosovar Superleague clubs Feronikel, Llapi, Trepca '89, Flamurtar, Ballkani, Drenica and Vushtrria in order to fulfil the fixture.

[51] However the rearranged fixture also had to be cancelled after 7 more players tested positive for coronavirus, and Lincoln Red Imps were awarded a technical 3–0 win by UEFA.

Antwerp, Granada, Leicester City, Omonia and Sivasspor made their debut appearances in the group stage.

[68] The award winner was announced during the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League group stage draw in Turkey on 27 August 2021.