Sitting just below the Champions League in prestige, the Europa League has built a reputation of its own as European football’s most chaotic, entertaining second-tier continental competition — and one that’s produced more than a few genuine underdog stories.
How Qualification Works
Entry into the Europa League typically comes from domestic league position rather than a title. In England, Bournemouth and Sunderland both secured spots through their Premier League finish, joined by Crystal Palace via their run as Conference League winners. Similar routes exist across the continent, with sixth and seventh-placed finishers in most major leagues, detailed in our breakdown of the Premier League table, funnelling directly into the competition.
The Format
- 36-team league phase, mirroring the Champions League’s expanded structure
- Top 8 advance directly to the round of 16
- 9th to 24th contest a two-legged play-off round for the remaining knockout spots
- Champions League drop-downs — clubs finishing outside the Champions League’s qualification zone can parachute into the Europa League knockouts
Why It Matters
Beyond the trophy itself, winning the Europa League carries a direct reward: automatic qualification for the following season’s Champions League, regardless of domestic league finish. That stakes-raising incentive is exactly why mid-table clubs treat a strong Europa League run as a genuine season-defining opportunity, not a consolation prize.
A Launchpad for Bigger Nights
Recent winners have used the trophy as a springboard, with several Europa League champions going on to compete for Champions League silverware within a season or two. It’s also become a proving ground for managers and squads not yet ready to compete at the very top table, offering valuable European experience without the brutal group of death draws the Champions League can produce.
Related Competitions
If a club misses out on both the Champions League and Europa League, the Conference League still offers a route to continental football and, in some cases, a fast track back up the European ladder.