The 2024/25 campaign saw the first iteration of the newly revamped European formats with a promise that it would lead to more competitive clashes between Europe’s best and provide some incredibly entertaining matches for fans of colours and neutrals alike – and it is safe to say that we have seen just that with storied sides struggling to reach the knockout phases, and other unexpected sides punching above their respective weight.
It is not the only story that European competition has delivered to the domestic English game this season though. As we prepare to bid goodbye to the current year of competition, we are in the bizarre position whereby in 2025/26 we could have up to eleven top flight sides competing in Europe and flying the flag next term.
At the time of writing, whichever way the permutations play out and however the final table looks given how tight things are at the top, there will definitely be eight sides in action as a minimum – so right now, even 12th place Crystal Palace have something still to fight for.
So as a brief explainer to a topic that now has most fans going ‘eh?’, on a Champions League front there will be five sides in action, but in the very unlikely circumstances that second placed Arsenal win the Champions League, but bizarrely finish outside of the top four, there would be six sides who qualify. Or seven sides if that were to happen, but Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur were to lift the Europa League trophy.
Then we have two sides in the Europa League with places going to the teams who finish sixth in the table, and lift the FA Cup. However, if the Cup winners have already qualified for Europe then the place is awarded to the next highest finisher that does not qualify for Europe. Then we have a scenario where a third place would be awarded subject to Chelsea winning the Europa Conference League but failing to qualify for the Champions League.
So, the Conference League. One place is currently awarded to the Premier League and it would goes to League Cup winners Newcastle United. However, if Eddie Howe’s side qualify for the Champions League (or Europa League) the spot could potentially go to the ninth or tenth placed side.
For the bizarre scenario of eleven entrants, this fanciful but improbable situation would occur if Arsenal won the Champions League and either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur lifted the Europa League and Chelsea won the Conference League, with all three winners then ultimately finishing the current campaign outside of the top six.
Some fans will undoubtedly have their fingers crossed that such a surreal league outcome now comes to pass, but I think for the vast majority of supporters they know this will never happen so they will not pay too much attention to it.