Panathinaikos to face Hradec Kralove in Conference League playoffs

Panathinaikos has secured its spot in the UEFA Conference League playoffs after successfully eliminating CSKA 1948 in the previous qualifying round. The Greek club, having previously overcome Paksi, now faces the final hurdle to reach the League Phase of the competition.

Following the conclusion of the Europa League qualifiers, it was determined that the Czech side Hradec Kralove will be the opponent for Panathinaikos. Hradec Kralove entered this stage after being eliminated from the Europa League by Turkish club Besiktas, who won their match with a decisive goal from Cerny. The Czech club, founded in 1905, is based at the 9,300-capacity FINEP Arena and reached this European stage after a historic fourth-place finish in their domestic league during the 2025-26 season.

The two-legged playoff tie is scheduled for August 20 and August 27. The first match will take place at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, while the decisive second leg will be held at the FINEP Arena in the Czech Republic. Panathinaikos must win this encounter to qualify for the main League Phase of the UEFA Conference League.