The UEFA Conference League, also known as the UEFA Europa Conference League, is an annual European club football competition organized by UEFA. It is the third-tier tournament in European club football, ranking below the UEFA Champions League (first-tier) and the UEFA Europa League (second-tier). Key details about the UEFA Conference League:
- It was introduced in the 2021-22 season to provide more clubs from lower-ranked UEFA member associations a chance to compete in European football.
- The competition involves clubs that typically qualify through their domestic league positions below the Europa League spots or through elimination from Champions League and Europa League qualifying rounds.
- Starting from the 2024-25 season, the format includes a 36-team league phase where each team plays six matches (three home and three away) against different opponents.
- The top eight teams in the league phase advance directly to the Round of 16 knockout stage.
- Teams ranked 9th to 24th enter a knockout play-off round for a chance to reach the Round of 16.
- Teams ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated after the league phase.
- The knockout stage involves two-legged ties in the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, and Semi-finals, followed by a single-match final at a neutral venue.
- The winners of the UEFA Conference League automatically qualify for the next season's UEFA Europa League league phase, provided they do not qualify for the Champions League or Europa League through their domestic league performance.
- The competition typically runs from July to May.
- English clubs have been the most successful, with two victories, followed by clubs from Italy and Greece.
The current title holders are Chelsea, who won the 2025 final. The 2025-26 season is the fifth iteration of the tournament, with the final scheduled to be played at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany. In summary, the UEFA Conference League aims to give more clubs from across Europe the opportunity to compete internationally while serving as a pathway into higher-tier UEFA competitions. This competition is Europe's tertiary club football tournament, bolstering the football calendar with competitive matches predominantly on Thursdays and culminating in a prestigious final.