Have you ever wondered: does UEFA Europa League have VAR? Yes—it does, and its use has been expanding steadily. In this article, CandyGoal will take you through exactly how, when, and where VAR is applied in the Europa League, plus what the rules say, what challenges remain, and what it means for you as a fan.
What is VAR in the Europa League
VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee. It’s a system intended to help match officials correct “clear and obvious” errors or missed incidents in four basic game-changing situations:
- Goals and whether they should stand.
- Penalties: awarding or denying them.
- Direct red cards.
- Mistaken identity in issuing cards.
In addition to VAR, Goal-Line Technology (GLT) is used to determine with certainty whether the ball fully crossed the goal line.
Where and from which rounds VAR is used
Current status
As of the 2024/25 Europa League season, VAR is used more broadly than ever. UEFA has committed to deploying VAR in all qualifying rounds of the Europa League.
That means even during the early qualification matches—long before the group/league phase—VAR can be in operation. This is a change.
Rules and regulations
- According to the Europa League Regulations for the 2025/26 edition, Article 61 specifies that VAR may be used in all matches of the competition. However, usage depends on conditions such as stadium readiness and technical availability. documents.uefa.com)
- The decision to actually use VAR (or not) in a particular match can depend on technical feasibility or referee discretion. Even if a match is scheduled with VAR, failures or unavailability can mean it’s not used.
Historical lead-in and expansion
- VAR was first introduced in the Europa League knockout phases. Specifically, from seasons like 2018/19 and forward, with the final and later knockout rounds among the first to consistently use VAR.
- In earlier seasons, qualifying rounds and early stages often did not use VAR, largely due to challenges in infrastructure, costs, and the number of stadiums needing upgrades.
What are the limits and exceptions
While yes, UEFA Europa League has VAR, there remain certain limitations and exceptional situations:
- Technical failure or stadium readiness: Even when a match is scheduled with VAR, technical problems (equipment issues, connectivity, etc.) can force a match to proceed hout VAR. The regulations explicitly note that non-use under such circumstances does not invalidate match outcomes.
- Stadium infrastructure: Not all stadiums in Europe are initially equipped for VAR (camera angles, video feeds, operational video operation rooms). UEFA has invested in expanding these, but retrofits take time.
- Decision discretion: Although VAR may be used in all matches, whether it will be used depends on whether the necessary systems are in place and if the match officials determine that VAR is available. So, fans might still see some matches without VAR.
Recent and forthcoming changes
- As of the 2023/24 season, UEFA expanded VAR usage in its club competitions, notably the Europa League. They introduced it earlier in qualifying rounds than some previous years.
- For the 2024/25 season, the change is formalized: all qualifying rounds of the Europa League have the possibility of VAR. This is part of UEFA’s push for consistency across its major club competitions.
Impacts of VAR on matches and fans
- Improved fairness, especially in critical calls: goals, penalties, offsides. Fans and clubs increasingly expect these to be double-checked.
- More drama and controversy: even with VAR, decisions are still sometimes debatable (especially offsides margins, handballs, etc.), and VAR’s findings often lead to heated debates post-match.
- Stadium consistency matters: fans traveling to some venues may notice differences in how well VAR works, depending on how well-equipped the stadium is.
Does the Europa League Final always have VAR?
Yes—the final of the Europa League has had VAR in recent editions, and under the current rules it is almost certain to have full VAR and goal-line technology support, assuming no unexpected technical issues. The final is one of the highest-profile matches, so UEFA ensures the needed systems are in place.
Conclusion
Does UEFA Europa League have VAR? Absolutely. CandyGoal has shown you that VAR is now part and parcel of the competition —. While there can still be exceptions (technical glitches or readiness issues), the trend is clear: more matches, earlier in the tournament, will have VAR.
If you want to stay ahead of matchday debates, here are some tips:
- Check the match preview before kick-off — it often mentions if VAR will be used.
- Watch official UEFA communications around stadium readiness.
- Tune into fan forums or social media — they often report when VAR isn’t available for a given match.
Keep following CandyGoal for more looks into football rules, drama, and match analysis — we’ve got your back for all the VAR incidents, review controversies, and match-review breakdowns.
