Launched to give more clubs across Europe a shot at continental football, the UEFA Conference League has quickly shed its reputation as an afterthought. Chelsea’s triumph in the competition last May, part of a season that also saw them lift the FIFA Club World Cup, proved the trophy is worth fighting for even for clubs with bigger ambitions.
How the Format Works
Like its two sister competitions, the Conference League now runs on a league-phase format rather than traditional groups, with 36 clubs playing a set number of fixtures against different opponents before the standings determine who advances directly to the knockout rounds and who needs a play-off.
Who Qualifies
Entry routes vary by country, but typically reward strong domestic cup form or a mid-table league finish. In England, Brighton & Hove Albion qualified through their Premier League position this season, as detailed in our look at the Premier League table. Elsewhere, Getafe, Monaco and Atalanta secured spots through their respective domestic finishes in Spain, France and Italy.
The Reward for Winning
- Automatic Europa League qualification the following season, regardless of domestic finish
- Growing prize money that has made the competition increasingly attractive to mid-sized clubs
- A genuine trophy — silverware that counts in a club’s history, not just a participation exercise
Why Bigger Clubs Are Taking It Seriously
Chelsea’s run to the title showed that even clubs with Champions League ambitions can benefit from taking the Conference League seriously, using it as a platform to build squad depth and momentum that carried directly into their Club World Cup success months later. Expect more established clubs to lean into deep Conference League runs as UEFA continues investing in the competition’s profile and prize pool.
What’s Next
As with the Europa League, this season’s Conference League champion earns a guaranteed route into Europa League football next season — a meaningful incentive that keeps the competition fiercely contested right to the final.