Read all about the newest European club competition, the UEFA Conference League, and check all the latest odds and predictions.
The sixth edition of the Conference League, previously known as the Europa Conference League, will be held in 2026/27, and, alongside the more prestigious European trophies, this competition has also undergone a recent makeover. There is a league phase in the new structure, which replaced the group stage. Unlike the Champions League and Europa League, there is no automatic passage into this new league phase. Every team must play at least one qualifying round match to advance to the league phase.
Roma were the first team to win this competition, defeating Feyenoord in the 2022 final. A year later, West Ham were the victors, with Fiorentina finishing runners-up. In the 2024 final, Olympiacos became the first-ever Greek side to win a major European trophy, with Fiorentina once again the losing finalists. In 2025, there was another English winner, as Chelsea proved too strong for Real Betis in the final. In 2026, it was another England v Spain final, with Crystal Palace defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to win the trophy.
A total of 165 teams will contest the 2026/27 Conference League. This will include 15 teams eliminated from the 2026/27 Champions League, along with 41 teams eliminated from the 2025/26 Europa League.
The top 12-ranked football associations will each have one representative in this competition, allowing more teams from the lower-ranked associations to take part. However, that number could increase based on which teams are transferred to the tournament after being eliminated from the Champions League and Europa League.
Where is the 2026/27 Conference League Final being held?
The final will be held on the 2nd of June 2027 at the Beşiktaş Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.
The current stadium opened in 2016 after the original stadium was partly demolished in 2013 ahead of a major renovation. It hosted the 2019 UEFA Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea and the 2026 UEFA Europa League final between Aston Villa and SC Freiburg.
What is the format for the Conference League?
The format for the Conference League features a single 36-team league stage, replacing what was previously the group stage. Each team will play matches against six different teams, three at home and three away.
The 36 teams will be comprised of:
- 5 winners from the play-off round (Champions Path)
- 19 winners from the play-off round (League Path)
- 12 teams eliminated from the Europa League playoff round.
How do teams qualify from the league phase of the Conference League?
- The top eight sides in the league phase will qualify for the knockout phase and move directly into the round of 16.
- The sides finishing 9th to 24th will compete in a two-legged playoff round to determine the other eight teams advancing to the round of 16.
- Those sides finishing in 25th or lower will be eliminated.
What happens to the winner of the Conference League?
This year’s winners will gain a place in the league stage of next season’s Europa League, provided they have not already qualified for the Champions League through their domestic league placing.
Can teams drop from the Europa League to the Conference League?
Until the 2024/25 season, teams that finished third in Europa League groups were transferred to the Conference League. With both competitions now having a league stage rather than a group stage, that will no longer happen, and the teams finishing in the bottom eight places in the league phase of the Europa League will be eliminated from all European competitions.
However, the 12 teams eliminated from the Europa League playoff round will move directly into the league phase of the Conference League.
Has the name of the Conference League changed?
At the start of the 2024/25 tournament, the competition was rebranded as the UEFA Conference League. In previous seasons, it was known as the Europa Conference League.
UEFA Conference League schedule (2026/27)
First qualifying round
First leg: 9th July, Second leg: 16th July
Second qualifying round
First leg: 23rd July, Second leg: 30th July
Third qualifying round
First leg: 6th August, Second leg: 13th August
Playoff round
Draw date: 3rd August
First leg: 20th August, Second leg: 27th August
League phase
Draw date: 28th August
Matchday 1: 15th October
Matchday 2: 22nd October
Matchday 3: 5th November
Matchday 4: 26th November
Matchday 5: 10th December
Matchday 6: 17th December
Knockout phase
Draw date: 15th January
Knockout round playoffs: First leg: 18th February, Second Leg: 25th February
Draw date for round of 16 onwards: 26th February
Round of 16: First leg: 11th March, Second leg: 18th March
Quarter-finals: First leg: 8th April, Second leg: 15th April
Semi-finals: First leg: 29th April, Second leg: 6th May
Final: 2nd June
Which teams will compete in the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Conference League?
The teams from the five main European leagues that have qualified directly for the play-off round are:
- 🏴 Brighton & Hove Albion
- 🇮🇹 Atalanta
- 🇪🇸 Getafe
- 🇩🇪 SC Freiburg
- 🇫🇷 Monaco
These sides will have to win their play-off match to reach the league phase.
Previous Conference League finals
2025/26: Aston Villa 3-0 SC Freiburg
2024/25: Chelsea 4-1 Real Betis
2023/24: Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina (after extra-time)
2022/23: West Ham 2-1 Fiorentina
2021/22: Roma 1-0 Feyenoord
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