The Europa League and Conference League explained

The Champions League gets the spotlight, but UEFA runs three club competitions that together cover most of the continent. Here's how the other two work.

A three-tier pyramid

UEFA's club competitions sit in a hierarchy by prestige:

1. Champions League — the elite

2. Europa League — the second tier

3. Conference League — the third tier

A country's European places are shared across all three depending on its league ranking, so even mid-table and smaller-nation clubs get a shot at continental football.

The Europa League

The Europa League is the senior of the two. Like the Champions League, it now runs on a league phase — 36 teams in one table, each playing eight matches — before a knockout play-off and the familiar two-legged rounds to the final.

Its biggest carrot: the winner qualifies for the next season's Champions League, making it a genuine back-door route to the top table.

The Conference League

Launched in 2021, the Conference League opened European football up to clubs who would previously never reach the group stage. It uses a similar league-phase model with a slightly shorter schedule (six matches in the league phase). It has quickly produced fairy-tale runs from clubs in smaller leagues, and its winner steps up into the Europa League the following season.

Why three competitions?

More tiers mean more clubs, from more countries, get meaningful European nights — and more two-way movement between them. A good run in the Conference League can lift a smaller club's profile and finances, while the Europa League gives established sides a realistic path back to the Champions League.

When these competitions are in season, follow the tables and results in our tournaments section.