The Europa League & Conference League: Complete Guide

While the Champions League dominates headlines, UEFA's secondary club competitions offer compelling football, dramatic moments, and valuable pathways to European success. The Europa League and Conference League provide opportunities for a wider range of clubs to compete on the continental stage.

The History of UEFA's Club Competitions

The Europa League began life as the UEFA Cup in 1971, created as a third UEFA club competition alongside the European Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup. For decades, the UEFA Cup provided a platform for clubs who narrowly missed Champions League qualification. The competition was rebranded as the Europa League in 2009, coinciding with a format overhaul that included a group stage. The Conference League was introduced for the 2021-22 season as UEFA's third-tier competition. Its creation addressed the growing gap between the Champions League and Europa League, providing a more accessible European path for clubs from smaller nations and those who finish lower in larger leagues. The competition was rebranded as the UEFA Conference League for the 2024-25 season.

The Europa League Format

The Europa League adopted the Swiss model format for the 2024-25 season, matching the structural changes made to the Champions League. The competition features 36 teams in a single league phase, with each club playing eight matches against eight different opponents — four at home and four away. The top eight finishers qualify directly for the Round of 16, while teams placed 9th to 24th enter a knockout play-off round. Teams finishing 25th to 36th are eliminated from European competition entirely. The Europa League winner qualifies directly for the following season's Champions League group stage, providing a significant incentive and a potential path to Europe's top table for clubs who might otherwise not qualify.

The Conference League Format

The Conference League also uses the Swiss model but with a reduced schedule. The 36 teams in the league phase play six matches each — three home and three away — reflecting the competition's lower status and reduced revenue. The top eight qualify directly for the Round of 16, while teams placed 9th to 24th enter a knockout play-off round. The Conference League winner qualifies for the following season's Europa League group stage. This provides a step-up mechanism where success in the third tier can lead to Europa League participation, and potentially Champions League qualification if the club subsequently wins the Europa League.

How Qualification Works

Qualification for both competitions is determined primarily by domestic league position and cup results. The Premier League's fifth-placed team qualifies for the Europa League group stage, alongside the FA Cup winner. The EFL Cup winner qualifies for the Conference League play-off round. However, the qualification pathways have been complicated by the new format. Additional Europa League and Conference League spots are determined by the UEFA coefficient rankings and the results of qualifying rounds. Clubs eliminated from Champions League qualifying may drop into the Europa League or Conference League qualification paths, creating a complex ecosystem where the three competitions are interconnected.

Coefficient Points and Association Rankings

Both competitions contribute to the UEFA association coefficient rankings, which determine how many European spots each national association receives. While Champions League success earns the most coefficient points, strong performances in the Europa League and Conference League can significantly boost a nation's ranking. The coefficient system awards points for wins, draws, and progression through rounds in each competition. For association rankings, points are divided by the number of clubs the association entered in European competition. This means strong performances across multiple clubs in all three competitions can elevate a nation's ranking.

Prize Money and Revenue

Prize money in the Europa League and Conference League is substantially lower than the Champions League but remains significant for many participating clubs. Europa League group stage participation earns clubs a base fee, with additional payments for wins and draws. Knockout phase qualification brings further bonuses, with the competition winner receiving substantial additional revenue. Conference League prize money is considerably lower but still meaningful, particularly for clubs from smaller leagues where television revenue and commercial income are limited. For these clubs, Conference League participation can represent a transformative financial windfall that funds squad improvements and infrastructure investment.

Key Differences Between the Three Competitions

The three UEFA club competitions differ in several dimensions beyond prize money and prestige. The Champions League features 36 teams with eight league-phase matches, the Europa League has 36 teams with eight matches, and the Conference League has 36 teams with six matches. The Champions League offers group stage revenue of approximately 16 million per club, compared to 4 million in the Europa League and 3 million in the Conference League. The level of competition differs markedly, with the Champions League concentrating the world's best players and biggest clubs. The Europa League features a mix of Champions League regulars and emerging clubs, while the Conference League prioritises representation from smaller European leagues and provides opportunities for clubs rarely seen in continental competition.

Notable Winners and Historical Moments

The Europa League and its predecessor UEFA Cup have produced memorable finals and winners. Sevilla have been the competition's most successful club, winning seven titles including a remarkable three consecutive triumphs from 2014 to 2016. Other notable winners include Juventus, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Atletico Madrid. The Conference League, though younger, has already created memorable moments. Roma won the inaugural edition in 2022 under Jose Mourinho, with West Ham United winning in 2023 and Olympiacos triumphing in 2024. The competition has quickly established itself as a platform for dramatic football and emotional celebrations from clubs and fans.