One of the biggest goals for a number of Premier League clubs is qualifying for European football, and there are a number of ways in which they can do so.
Competing in one of UEFA’s three season-long club competitions – the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League – brings numerous benefits, both financial and sporting.
English clubs can reap those rewards by finishing inside the top five of the Premier League or winning a domestic cup, but things can get complicated…
UEFA’s top club competition is of course the Champions League, and Premier League clubs can qualify for it by finishing the season in the top four.
Champions League places are also awarded to winners of the Champions League and Europa League, regardless of where they finish in their domestic league.
The club that just misses out on the top four, taking fifth spot, will be given a place in the Europa League, as will the side that wins the FA Cup.
Whoever wins the Carabao Cup meanwhile will be rewarded with a place in the Conference League playoff round.
However, things can change if the team that wins one of the two cups also finishes in the top five positions in the league.
If the club that wins the FA Cup has already qualified for the Champions League or Europa League through a top-five position in the Premier League, the second Europa League spot will go to the Premier League side that finishes sixth.
The same is true in regard to the Conference League place if the Carabao Cup winners finish in the top five of the Premier League. If they finish sixth and the above scenario happens, they’ll go into the Europa League and the team in seventh will go into the Conference League.
