Which teams are in the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League? Confirmed clubs, league phase stage, tournament rules and format
The 2025–26 UEFA Europa Conference League enters its second year using the exciting new “Swiss system” format. Gone are the old group stages—replaced instead with a single 36-team league table where variety, unpredictability, and drama reign from the opening matchday to the final whistle. This fresh setup gives clubs from across Europe more chances to shine and brings fans a wider mix of matchups they wouldn’t typically see in earlier stages.
To build the 36-team league phase, a blend of routes is used. Twenty-four teams come through qualifying, with 12 dropping down from the UEFA Europa League play-off round. The action officially kicks off on September 18, 2025, but the journey starts much earlier in mid-July with the qualifying rounds. Fans will get a first look at the full fixture list during the league-phase draw on August 29, 2025, held in Monaco. All eyes will then turn to Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena, which will host the final on May 27, 2026, capping off the season’s journey.
Teams in Conference League league phase 2025/26
To fill out this season’s league phase, UEFA uses a combination of qualifying results and Europa League eliminations. Here’s how the 36 spots are divided:
- 5 clubs come through the Champions Path play-off round
- 19 clubs qualify via the Main Path play-offs
- 12 clubs drop into the competition from the Europa League play-off stage
EFL Cup 2024/25 winners Newcastle United have booked their place in the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 play-off round; however, the Magpies may still qualify for the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa League by virtue of league position
Playoff Round
- Rayo Vallecano (Spain)
- Mainz (Germany)
- Nottingham Forest (England)
- Fiorentina (Italy)
- Strasbourg (France)
The final lineup will be confirmed once all play-off ties are completed by August 28, 2025. With such a broad qualification route, the league phase will once again include a wide mix of familiar European names and new challengers.
2025/26 Conference League teams by nation
UEFA’s coefficient ranking system determines how many teams each country can enter. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Top 12 associations (like England, Spain, Germany, and Italy) each send one club
- Associations ranked 13 to 33 send two clubs each
- Associations ranked 34 to 50 get three clubs each (except Liechtenstein, which only enters one team via its cup winner)
- 12 teams also enter from the Europa League after falling short in the play-off rounds
All in all, fans can expect to see 36 clubs from up to 38 different UEFA nations, showcasing the true depth and diversity of European football.
When does the Conference League league phase start?
The 2025–26 league phase kicks off on September 18, 2025, and it comes with a fresh twist: each team plays eight unique opponents (no return legs), making every match critical. Points are tallied in a single league table, and the top 24 teams move forward into the knockout rounds. With more variety in the fixtures and higher stakes in every game, the revamped format is built to deliver more excitement from the first whistle.
When are the Conference League draws in 2025/26
UEFA’s calendar is packed with key dates that shape the competition. Here’s a full rundown of the draws leading up to and during the tournament:
- First qualifying round draw: June 17, 2025
- Second qualifying round draw: June 18, 2025
- Third qualifying round draw: July 21, 2025
- Play-off round draw: August 4, 2025
- League phase draw: August 29, 2025 — live from Monaco
As the tournament moves into its knockout stages in early 2026, UEFA will release the dates for the draws covering the Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals.
Where is the Conference League final 2026?
This ultimate showdown will take place in Leipzig, Germany, at the Red Bull Arena on May 27, 2026. It will be the first time the venue hosts a major UEFA final. Nestled in the heart of Saxony, the stadium blends modern architecture with a passionate football culture, promising a memorable night for fans and finalists alike. From modest beginnings in July to the grand finale in May, the path to Leipzig will be filled with surprises and unforgettable moments.
