The Premier League season is edging toward its climax, with a host of clubs battling to secure places in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), UEFA Europa League (UEL) and UEFA Conference League (Col).
Yet there are a whole host of clauses and considerations that could affect where the places go.
First of all, the Premier League will have five teams in the UCL next season after it secured one of the extra places for performance by clubs across the three competitions.
But what happens to the places reserved for the domestic cups?
And what does it mean if any English clubs lift a European trophy?
Here’s your guide to European qualification in the Premier League.
This article will be updated through to the end of the season as more details emerge.
What’s the usual allocation for the Premier League?
At the start of every season, the Premier League’s European allocation is:
Champions League: Places 1-4
Europa League: 5, FA Cup winners
Conference League: Carabao Cup winners
But now there’s an extra place in the Champions League?
The two leagues with the best set of collective results in European competition get a fifth team in the Champions League through the European Performance Spots (EPS).
It was confirmed on April 8 — through Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid — that the Premier League will get one of the two EPS.
The extra place goes to fifth in the league.
For the final positions in the 2024-25 season, to qualify for Europe the positions are now:
Champions League: 1-5 (Liverpool are confirmed)
Europa League: 6, FA Cup winners
Conference League: Carabao Cup winners
What does Newcastle winning the Carabao Cup mean?
Newcastle United are guaranteed a place in the Conference League after they beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final on March 16.
So that makes the allocation:
Champions League: 1-5
Europa League: 6, FA Cup winners
Conference League: Newcastle United
However, where Newcastle finish in the table could impact the allocation.
If the Magpies qualify for the Champions League or the Europa League, the Conference League place transfers to the Premier League.
So, if Newcastle finish in the top six, as it stands the Conference League place passes to seventh.
Champions League: 1-5
Europa League: 6, FA Cup winners
Conference League: 7
This is now looking possible as Newcastle are in fifth place — but there’s only a two-point gap to seventh.
There’s influence from…
