The UEFA Conference League, introduced in the 2021-22 season, is Europe’s third-tier club competition, offering teams a chance to compete for silverware and secure qualification for higher-tier tournaments. For Chelsea Football Club, a team with a storied history in European competitions, including two Champions League titles and two Europa League triumphs, winning the 2025 Conference League could have significant implications for their European prospects in the 2025-26 season.
The UEFA Conference League and its rewards
The UEFA Conference League is designed to give smaller clubs and those from less competitive leagues a platform to shine, but it also attracts prominent teams like Chelsea, who may find themselves in the competition due to inconsistent domestic performance. The primary reward for winning the Conference League is automatic qualification for the UEFA Europa League, the second-tier European competition, for the following season. This rule ensures that the Conference League champion is guaranteed European football, regardless of their domestic league standing. However, the situation becomes more nuanced when the winning team also qualifies for a higher-tier competition, such as the Champions League, through their domestic league position.
For Chelsea, who are set to face Real Betis in the 2025 Conference League final, the prospect of winning the competition raises questions about how it interacts with their Premier League performance. UEFA’s qualification hierarchy prioritizes the Champions League as the top-tier competition, followed by the Europa League, and then the Conference League. This hierarchy plays a critical role in determining which competition a team participates in if they qualify for multiple tournaments.
Does winning the Conference League grant Champions League qualification?
A common misconception is that winning the Conference League could directly secure a spot in the Champions League, similar to how winning the Champions League or Europa League grants the champion a place in the following season’s Champions League. However, UEFA’s rules for the Conference League are different. Winning the Conference League does not provide direct qualification for the Champions League. Instead, it guarantees a place in the Europa League for the 2025-26 season, unless the team has already qualified for the Champions League through their domestic league.
This distinction is crucial for Chelsea. If they win the Conference League but do not finish in a Champions League-qualifying position in the Premier League (typically the top four or five, depending on England’s UEFA coefficient), they would play in the Europa League, not the Champions League. The only way Chelsea could participate in the Champions League after winning the Conference League is if they also secure a Champions League spot through their Premier League position.
The impact of Premier League performance
Chelsea’s position in the Premier League at the end of the 2024-25 season is a pivotal factor in determining their European fate. The Premier League typically sends its top four teams to the Champions League, with a potential fifth spot available based on England’s UEFA coefficient performance. If Chelsea finish in the top four or five, they would qualify for the Champions League regardless of their Conference League outcome. In this scenario, winning the Conference League would not alter their destination—they would play in the Champions League, as it is the higher-tier competition.
However, if Chelsea finish outside the Champions League spots—say, in sixth or seventh place—winning the Conference League would secure them a Europa League spot. This outcome would override any lower-tier qualification (e.g., a Conference League spot from a seventh-place finish). For example, if Chelsea finish sixth, which typically qualifies for the Europa League, and win the Conference League, they would still play in the Europa League, as the Conference League victory does not elevate them to the Champions League. If they finish seventh and win the Conference League, their Europa League qualification from the Conference League win would take precedence over the Conference League spot tied to their league position.
Can Chelsea choose their competition?
Some reports suggest that if Chelsea win the Conference League and qualify for the Champions League via the Premier League, they could “choose” between playing in the Champions League or the Europa League. This notion appears to stem from misinterpretations of UEFA’s regulations. UEFA’s rules are clear: when a team qualifies for multiple competitions, they are placed in the highest-tier competition for which they are eligible. For Chelsea, qualifying for the Champions League through the Premier League would take precedence over the Europa League spot earned by winning the Conference League. The idea of a “choice” is not supported by UEFA’s official framework, and Chelsea would automatically participate in the Champions League in such a scenario.
This clarification is important because it dispels the notion that Chelsea could strategically opt for the Europa League, perhaps to avoid the intense competition of the Champions League or to chase another trophy. UEFA’s prioritization ensures that clubs compete at the highest level possible, aligning with the competitive integrity of European football.
Reallocation of European spots
Another layer of complexity arises when considering what happens to the Europa League spot Chelsea would earn by winning the Conference League if they also qualify for the Champions League. In this case, the Europa League spot does not go unused; instead, UEFA reallocates it to the next eligible team, typically based on domestic league standings. For the Premier League, this could mean that a team finishing lower in the table—potentially sixth or seventh—would gain a Europa League spot, while the Conference League spot might shift to an even lower-placed team, such as eighth.
For instance, if Chelsea finish in the top four and win the Conference League, their Champions League qualification takes precedence, and the Europa League spot from the Conference League win could go to the sixth-placed Premier League team. This reallocation can have a ripple effect, potentially allowing more English clubs to participate in European competitions. However, it also means that Chelsea’s Conference League victory would not directly benefit their own European standing if they already have a Champions League spot.
Financial and prestige considerations
Beyond qualification, winning the Conference League carries other benefits for Chelsea. Financially, the competition offers prize money, though it is significantly less than that of the Champions League or Europa League. Winning the Conference League could net Chelsea approximately €5-10 million in prize money, depending on their progress and additional bonuses. While this is a modest sum compared to the Champions League’s potential €50 million-plus for reaching the later stages, it still provides a financial boost, particularly for a club navigating Financial Fair Play regulations.
From a prestige perspective, a Conference League title would add to Chelsea’s illustrious European record. A victory would make them the first club to win all three major UEFA competitions—Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League—a remarkable achievement that would enhance their legacy. Additionally, the trophy could boost team morale and provide a platform for young players to gain European experience, which is particularly valuable for a squad in transition under new management.
However, the prestige of the Conference League pales in comparison to the Champions League. For a club of Chelsea’s stature, consistently competing in the Champions League is a priority, both for financial reasons and to attract top talent. Thus, while winning the Conference League would be a noteworthy accomplishment, it would likely be seen as a stepping stone rather than a primary objective if Chelsea fail to secure a Champions League spot through the Premier League.
Potential risks and UEFA demands
An intriguing wrinkle in Chelsea’s European aspirations is the potential for UEFA to impose restrictions. Some reports indicate that Chelsea could face a ban from the Champions League unless they comply with specific UEFA demands, possibly related to financial regulations or ownership structures. While these reports lack detailed corroboration, they highlight the importance of Chelsea maintaining compliance with UEFA’s governance standards. A ban would render the Conference League discussion moot, as Chelsea would be excluded from European competitions altogether. However, assuming no such sanctions are applied, the focus remains on their qualification path.