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A historic European night beckons as two-time European champions Nottingham Forest return to the continental stage for a high-stakes play-off against Turkish giants Fenerbahçe. With a spot in the Round of 16 on the line, this tie represents a massive moment for the “Tricky Trees” under their brand-new manager, Vítor Pereira, who—in a twist of fate—makes his debut against his former club. This guide serves as your essential companion for both legs of this 2026 clash, providing clear-cut streaming options such as TNT Sports, TRT 1 and TRT Spor and CBS Sports with tactical insights and the broadcasting details you need to catch every second of the action.
The first leg kicks off tonight at the intimidating Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium (also known as the Chobani Stadyumu) in Istanbul, before the tie moves back to the City Ground for the decisive second leg next week. Whether you are watching from the banks of the River Trent or the shores of the Bosphorus, we have compiled the most up-to-date viewing information to ensure you don’t miss a beat.
Match Schedule and Venues
This tie brings together two of the most passionate fanbases in world football. The first leg in Istanbul is expected to be a deafening experience for the Forest players, while the return leg in Nottingham will see the City Ground at its atmospheric best.
| Leg | Date | Time (GMT) | Venue | City |
| First Leg | Feb 19, 2026 | 17:45 | Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium | Istanbul, Turkey |
| Second Leg | Feb 26, 2026 | 20:00 | The City Ground | Nottingham, England |
Broadcaster Breakdown: UK, USA, and Turkey
Navigating local rights is crucial for fans in the home countries. In the United Kingdom, TNT Sports remains the exclusive home of the UEFA Europa League for 2025/26. The first leg is specifically assigned to TNT Sports 3, with the discovery+ app providing a seamless 4K streaming experience for subscribers on the move.
In Turkey, the broadcasting landscape has shifted to public service. TRT holds the exclusive rights for the 2024–2027 cycle. While matches of Turkish clubs like Fenerbahçe are broadcast free-to-air on TRT 1 and TRT Spor, the primary digital destination is the tabii streaming platform. This platform has become the national hub for European club football, offering every match of the competition.
Across the pond in the United States, CBS Sports carries the English-language rights. You can stream every minute of this playoff exclusively on Paramount+. For Spanish-speaking viewers, TUDN and UniMás will provide coverage, with the ViX platform serving as the primary digital home. In Canada, DAZN remains the exclusive broadcaster, offering every match live and on-demand.
Choosing the Right VPN to Watch Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahçe Live
When traveling abroad, a high-end VPN is essential to maintain access to your home streaming services like discovery+ or tabii.
NordVPN is widely considered the top choice for 2026 due to its SmartPlay technology. This system is designed for ease of use, as it automatically combines VPN encryption with Smart DNS capabilities to bypass the increasingly complex anti-VPN filters used by platforms like DAZN and Paramount+. It essentially eliminates the need for manual configuration, allowing fans to simply pick a server in their home country and start streaming.
For those watching on devices that don’t support native VPN applications—such as a PlayStation 5, Apple TV, or certain Smart TVs—ExpressVPN offers a superior solution. Their MediaStreamer DNS service is specifically optimized for high-bandwidth activities like live sports, ensuring a lag-free 4K experience.
Meanwhile, Surfshark has carved out a niche as the best option for group viewing. It is one of the few premium providers to allow unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account, making it ideal for a household where multiple people want to follow different matches or tactical camera feeds across various devices at once.
Players to Watch and Tactical Outlook
This match marks the debut of Vítor Pereira, Forest’s fourth manager of the season. Tactically, he is expected to move away from Sean Dyche’s rigid system toward a more fluid 3-4-2-1. Keep an eye on Igor Jesus, who is chasing his seventh European goal of the season. In midfield, Morgan Gibbs-White remains the creative heartbeat, though he faces a massive challenge against a Fenerbahçe midfield protected by the legendary N’Golo Kanté.
Fenerbahçe, managed by Domenico Tedesco, is in red-hot form with four straight wins. Their squad is packed with star power, including Anderson Talisca, who has scored four goals in the competition this term, and the silky Marco Asensio. With Ederson (the former Man City keeper) starting in goal, they possess a ball-playing capability that could force Forest to defend deep for long periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I watch Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahçe live in Istanbul?
You must use the mandatory coach travel provided from Sultanahmet Square; there is no independent access to the away sector.
What happens if the scores are level after two legs?
There is no away goals rule. The match will go to extra time and penalties if the aggregate score is tied.
Is there any major injury news?
Forest is missing Chris Wood, Willy Boly, and keeper Matz Sels. Stefan Ortega or Angus Gunn are expected to start in goal. Fenerbahçe is missing Archie Brown and Edson Álvarez.
Who is the referee?
Swiss official Sandro Schärer will referee the first leg in Istanbul.
Are there any suspension risks?
Fenerbahçe’s Nélson Semedo and Oğuz Aydın are one booking away from missing the return leg in Nottingham.
Final Thoughts and Analysis
This is a “baptism of fire” for Vítor Pereira. Heading into the Şükrü Saracoğlu for your first game in charge is a monumental task, especially against a Fenerbahçe side that has only lost two of its last 28 matches. Forest’s best chance lies in their clinical counter-attacking; they have actually outscored Fenerbahçe in the competition so far (15 goals to 10) and lead the Europa League in Expected Goals (xG).
However, Fenerbahçe’s defensive solidity—keeping three clean sheets in the league phase—suggests Forest will have to be perfect with the few chances they get. If the Tricky Trees can escape Istanbul with a draw or a narrow one-goal deficit, the return leg at a rocking City Ground could favor them. But with the injury crisis at the back for Forest, stopping Talisca and Asensio will require a heroic performance from Nikola Milenković and Morato.
