The UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) is the newest addition to European club football, launched in the 2021/22 season. Designed to give more clubs from smaller footballing nations a chance to compete on the European stage, the Conference League has quickly become a beloved competition. Here's everything you need to know.
Why Was the Conference League Created?
Before the UECL, many clubs from smaller UEFA federations faced an almost impossible path to European glory. They'd enter Champions League qualifying rounds only to be eliminated early, with no alternative competition to fall into.
UEFA's solution was elegant:
- More clubs get European football — teams from all 55 UEFA member associations have a realistic path
- Competitive balance — clubs face opponents of similar strength, creating more exciting matches
- A genuine trophy — it's a full UEFA competition with a proper final, not a consolation prize
How the Conference League Format Works
Starting from 2024/25, the UECL adopted the same league-phase format as the Champions League and Europa League:
The Basics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | 36 |
| Pots | 4 pots of 9 teams |
| Matches per team | 8 (4 home, 4 away) |
| Opponents per pot | 2 (1 home, 1 away) |
| Country protection | Max 2 opponents from same country |
Who Qualifies?
The Conference League's qualification path is diverse:
- Europa League playoff losers — teams that just miss out on the UEL drop into the UECL
- Domestic cup winners from lower-ranked federations
- League runners-up from smaller leagues
- Direct qualification through UEFA coefficient paths
- Champions League and Europa League third-round qualifying losers
This creates one of the most diverse competitions in football, with teams from countries like Armenia, Moldova, Iceland, and Northern Ireland competing alongside clubs from England, Italy, and Spain.
What Makes the Conference League Special?
David vs Goliath Moments
The UECL regularly produces stunning upsets. When a team from Iceland faces an Italian Serie A side, anything can happen. These are the matches that make football magical — and they happen every matchday in the Conference League.
A Path to Greater Things
The Conference League winner earns a spot in the next season's Europa League (or Champions League, depending on the winner's domestic league position). For many clubs, winning the UECL is transformative — it can change the financial trajectory of the entire club.
Previous Winners
| Season | Winner | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | AS Roma | Italy |
| 2022/23 | West Ham United | England |
| 2023/24 | Olympiacos | Greece |
| 2024/25 | TBD | — |
Each winner has a compelling story — Roma's emotional triumph under Mourinho, West Ham's first European trophy in decades, and Olympiacos becoming the first Greek club to win a major UEFA competition.
After the League Phase
The results table determines each team's fate:
| Position | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 1st – 8th | Direct qualification to the Round of 16 |
| 9th – 24th | Knockout Round Playoffs (two-legged ties) |
| 25th – 36th | Eliminated from European competition |
From the Round of 16 onwards, it's a straightforward knockout format leading to a single-leg final at a neutral venue.
Conference League vs Europa League
| Feature | UECL | UEL |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige | Growing | Established |
| Team quality | Mixed, diverse | Strong |
| Prize money | Lower | Higher |
| Winner's reward | UEL qualification | UCL qualification |
| Geographic diversity | Highest | High |
| Upset potential | Very high | High |
Simulate Your Conference League Draw
Curious about your team's potential opponents? Our Conference League Draw Simulator lets you:
- Pick any of the 36 UECL teams
- Generate a realistic 8-match fixture list using the actual pot seedings
- Share your results on WhatsApp, X, or download as an image
Whether you support a powerhouse like Fiorentina or an underdog like Shamrock Rovers, every draw tells a unique story. Try it now — it's free and instant!
Why You Should Watch the Conference League
If you're a football purist who loves unpredictability, the Conference League is for you. Where else can you see:
- A team from Luxembourg hosting an Italian giant?
- A Northern Irish club travelling to play in Greece?
- A Kazakh team competing under floodlights against a German Bundesliga side?
The Conference League is where dreams are made. And with our simulator, you can dream a little before the real thing begins.
Explore Conference League Teams
Get to know the teams competing in the 2025/26 UECL:
- Fiorentina — Italian passion in the UECL
- Chelsea — A Premier League giant in the Conference League
- Real Betis — Spanish flair on the European stage
- Copenhagen — Danish champions chasing European glory
👉 View all Conference League teams
Related Articles
- Europa League Teams, Pots & Draw Explained — The UEL's big sibling
- Champions League Draw Simulator Guide — How our simulator works
- How the Champions League Format Works — The format that inspired the UECL
- Top 10 Dream Champions League Draws — Dream fixtures from the UCL