The title holders are Olympiacos, who defeated Milan 3–0 in the previous edition's final.
Aberdeen, Academia Rebeja, Aston Villa, Auxerre, Bologna, Brera Strumica, Brest, Budućnost Podgorica, Bylis, Cliftonville, CSKA Sofia, FC 2 Korriku, FC Santa Coloma, Girona, HB, IFK Göteborg, IMT, Lincoln Red Imps, Progrès Niederkorn, Rapid Wien, Real Betis, Sabah, Sassuolo, Strømsgodset, Sturm Graz, Stuttgart, Tallinna Kalev, The New Saints, Valletta and Zbrojovka Brno will make their tournament debuts.
[2] The information here reflects the suspension of Russia in European football, and so the following changes to the default access list were made:[5] As the Youth League title holders (Olympiacos) qualified for the second round (Domestic Champions Path) via their domestic league, the following changes to the default access list were made: As San Marino did not enter a team, he following changes to the default access list were made: The schedule of the competition is as follows.
The top 22 teams from the UEFA Champions League Path as well as 10 winners of the Domestic Champions Path will qualify for the knockout phase, which will be played in a single-leg knockout format.
The draw was conducted on 14 February 2025 at 13:00 CET in the UEFA headquarters in Nyon.