COMPETITION EXPLAINED

The Europa League

In a nutshell

The Europa League is European football's second-tier club competition — below The Champions League but still hugely prestigious. English clubs have won it three times. Aston Villa won it in 2025/26.

How It Works

Similar format to The Champions League — a 36-team league phase since 2024/25, with 8 matches each. Top 8 go straight through to the Round of 16. Teams finishing 9th-24th enter knockout play-offs. Bottom 12 eliminated. The final is played at a neutral venue, usually in May, in a different city each year.

How English Clubs Qualify

From England: the 6th-placed Premier League team qualifies. The FA Cup winners also qualify (unless they have already qualified for The Champions League — in which case the spot goes to 7th place). Europa League winners get automatic entry to the Champions League the following season.

English Clubs in 2025/26

Aston Villa won the 2025/26 Europa League, defeating Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul. Nottingham Forest also competed and reached the semi-finals before losing to Villa. Liverpool finish in Europa League at minimum (5th in the Premier League).

Famous History

English Europa League winners: Chelsea (2013, 2019), Liverpool (2001), Arsenal (never), Manchester United (2017). Aston Villa in 2025/26 was their first continental trophy in 44 years.

How to Watch in the UK

TNT Sports. Selected matches on free-to-air TV.