Chelsea’s Historic Win and the New Era
The UEFA Conference League is making headlines again after Chelsea’s dramatic victory over Real Betis in the 2024/25 final, coming from behind to win 4-1 and claim the trophy. This win not only marked Chelsea’s first Conference League title but also set the stage for major changes in the competition’s format for the 2025/26 season.
Major Format Overhaul: What’s Changed?
UEFA has revamped the Conference League for its fifth season, introducing a
36-team league phase—a significant shift from previous years. Unlike before, teams eliminated from the Europa League can no longer drop into the Conference League after the league phase begins. This means the tournament is now more exclusive and competitive, with every club fighting for their spot from the start.
Key changes for 2025/26:
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No Europa League drop-downs: Teams can’t transfer from the Europa League after the league phase starts.
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Automatic Europa League qualification: The Conference League winner gets a direct spot in the next season’s Europa League, unless they qualify for the Champions League or Europa League through their domestic league.
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Chelsea can’t defend their title: Because Chelsea qualified for the Champions League via their league position, they won’t be in the Conference League this season.
Who’s Competing and How Did They Get Here?
A whopping
164 teams from 54 UEFA member associations entered the 2025/26 Conference League, with qualifying rounds running from July to August 2025. The allocation of teams is based on UEFA’s association coefficients, rewarding countries with strong recent performances in European competitions.
Breakdown of team allocation:
- Top 12 associations: 1 team each
- Associations ranked 13–33 and 51–55: 2 teams each
- Associations ranked 34–50: 3 teams each (except Liechtenstein)
- Additional teams from Champions League and Europa League qualifying rounds
All 36 teams in the league phase earned their spots through a rigorous qualifying process—no direct entries this year.
Matchday Drama: Early Highlights
The league phase kicked off in October, and already fans have witnessed thrilling matches. Fiorentina’s star Sohm hammered home a spectacular goal, while Legia Warszawa and Shakhtar Donetsk have shown early dominance in their groups. Crystal Palace’s manager Oliver Glasner called his team’s defeat to AEK Larnaca a “humbling reminder,” underscoring the unpredictable nature of the competition.
Recent match highlights:
- Fiorentina’s strong start with Sohm’s goal
- Legia Warszawa and Shakhtar Donetsk leading their groups
- Crystal Palace upset by AEK Larnaca
- Live updates from AEK Athens vs Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne vs Drita
What’s Next: Key Dates and the Road to Leipzig
The action continues with matchdays scheduled through December, culminating in the knockout rounds next spring. The grand finale will take place at the
Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, on May 27, 2026.
Important dates:
- League phase: October–December 2025
- Knockout phase: February–May 2026
- Final: May 27, 2026, Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
Expert Take: Why the Conference League Matters
The Conference League is quickly becoming a proving ground for emerging European clubs and a stage for dramatic upsets. With the new format, every match counts, and smaller clubs have a real shot at continental glory. As the tournament evolves, expect more surprises, rising stars, and unforgettable moments.
Takeaway: The UEFA Conference League’s new era promises more excitement, more opportunity, and a level playing field for clubs across Europe. Keep an eye on the underdogs—they might just steal the show.
Sources
1. 2025–26 UEFA Conference League - Wikipedia
2. 2024/25 Conference League: All the results
3. UEFA Conference League
4. Conference League qualifying: Fixtures, dates, results, how ...
5. UEFA Conference League News, Stats, Scores - ESPN
6. CBS Sports - News, Live Scores, Schedules, Fantasy Games ...
7. UEFA Europa Conference League News - NewsNow
8. Football news, features and statistics
9. Conference League: AEK Athens v Shamrock Rovers updates - RTE
10. Conference League 2024/2025 results, Football Europe - Flashscore
