Credit: @PremierLeague / X

Premier League To Have Six Teams in Champions League Next Season

Heading into Thursday’s European semi-finals, the Premier League was already assured five slots in the Champions League.

Credit: @PremierLeague / X

In an unprecedented development, the Premier League will have six clubs in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. Interestingly, this feat has been never achieved by any European league in the tournament’s history.

This was confirmed after both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur booked their places in the UEFA Europa League final, setting up an all-English showdown for the trophy. Despite both sides languishing in 15th and 16th place respectively in the Premier League table, their European exploits have opened up a backdoor into next season’s Champions League. As a result, the winner of the Europa League will automatically qualify for the Champions League group stage

How Did Premier League Get Six Spots in Champions League?

Heading into Thursday’s European semi-finals, the Premier League was already assured five slots in the Champions League due to its high standing in UEFA’s association club coefficient rankings. Premier League’s top-two finish in the rankings grants an additional berth, known as a “European Performance Spot” (EPS), as a reward for strong collective performances by English teams in European competitions throughout the season.

This means that along with the top four-placed teams in the Premier League, the club finishing fifth will also go through to the Champions League next season.

Also Read: 2025 UCL Final Unlocks Unique Feat After 21 Long Years, Mimics the 2004 Final!

However, Manchester United and Spurs winning their semi-final second legs in the Europa League now paves the way for a sixth entrant. The winner of the Europa League automatically qualifies for the Champions League group stage, regardless of their domestic league position. With Manchester United set to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final and both teams mathematically unable to finish in the Premier League’s top five, it is now guaranteed that one of them will qualify for next season’s Champions League by winning the tournament.

As a result, the 2025/26 Champions League will feature six English clubs. This milestone also comes in a season where the Champions League itself is undergoing a major revamp, expanding its format from 32 to 36 teams in the league phase starting this season.

One of Spurs or Man Utd are guaranteed to reach the Champions League by winning the Europa League 💪

For the first time ever, six Premier League sides will be playing in the competition next season!
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 8, 2025

The team which finishes sixth in the Premier League will qualify for the Europa League and the team who finishes seventh will go to the Europa Conference League.

Champions League

Europa League

Premier League

UEFA Champions League

Abhinav Goel

soccer

I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.