Europa League

Complete guide to the UEFA Europa League

The UEFA Europa League is Europe’s second-tier club competition, sitting below the UEFA Champions League in UEFA’s structure. It offers clubs a major continental title and a route into the following season’s Champions League.

History and background

The competition began in 1971 as the UEFA Cup, replacing the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

In 2009, it was rebranded as the UEFA Europa League, introducing a more structured format and expanding participation. The competition remains one of UEFA’s key tournaments, with a wide range of clubs competing across Europe.

Format and competition structure

The UEFA Europa League introduced a new format from the 2024–25 season.

League phase

• 36 teams compete in a single league table
• Each team plays 8 matches against different opponents
• Matches are split between home and away

Points system

• Win: 3 points
• Draw: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points

League standings

• Teams ranked in a single table
• Top 8 qualify directly for the Round of 16
• Teams ranked 9th–24th enter a knockout play-off round
• Teams ranked 25th–36th are eliminated

Ranking criteria

Teams level on points are separated by:

• Goal difference
• Goals scored
• Wins
• Disciplinary record
• Club coefficient

Knockout stage

• Play-off round determines the remaining Round of 16 teams
• Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals are played over two legs
• Final is a single match at a neutral venue
• If teams are level on aggregate, matches go to extra time and penalties if required

Qualification pathway

• Clubs qualify through domestic league finishing positions
• Domestic cup winners gain entry
• UEFA coefficient rankings determine allocation of places

Dynasties and dominant eras

Sevilla dominance

Sevilla (Spain) are the most successful club in the competition’s history. Their strength in knockout football has defined the modern Europa League era.

Strong European representation

Clubs from Spain, England and Italy have consistently featured among the winners, reflecting the strength of those leagues in European competition.

Recent winners

• 2025: Tottenham Hotspur (England)
• 2024: Atalanta (Italy)
• 2023: Sevilla (Spain)
• 2022: Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)
• 2021: Villarreal (Spain)

List of winners

• 1972: Tottenham Hotspur (England)
• 1973: Liverpool (England)
• 1974: Feyenoord (Netherlands)
• 1975: Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany)
• 1976: Liverpool
• 1977: Juventus (Italy)
• 1978: PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
• 1979: Borussia Mönchengladbach
• 1980: Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)
• 1981: Ipswich Town (England)
• 1982: IFK Göteborg (Sweden)
• 1983: Anderlecht (Belgium)
• 1984: Tottenham Hotspur
• 1985: Real Madrid (Spain)
• 1986: Real Madrid
• 1987: IFK Göteborg
• 1988: Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
• 1989: Napoli (Italy)
• 1990: Juventus
• 1991: Inter Milan (Italy)
• 1992: Ajax (Netherlands)
• 1993: Juventus
• 1994: Inter Milan
• 1995: Parma (Italy)
• 1996: Bayern Munich (Germany)
• 1997: Schalke 04 (Germany)
• 1998: Inter Milan
• 1999: Parma
• 2000: Galatasaray (Turkey)
• 2001: Liverpool
• 2002: Feyenoord
• 2003: Porto (Portugal)
• 2004: Valencia (Spain)
• 2005: CSKA Moscow (Russia)
• 2006: Sevilla (Spain)
• 2007: Sevilla
• 2008: Zenit Saint Petersburg (Russia)
• 2009: Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
• 2010: Atlético Madrid (Spain)
• 2011: Porto
• 2012: Atlético Madrid
• 2013: Chelsea (England)
• 2014: Sevilla
• 2015: Sevilla
• 2016: Sevilla
• 2017: Manchester United (England)
• 2018: Atlético Madrid
• 2019: Chelsea
• 2020: Sevilla
• 2021: Villarreal
• 2022: Eintracht Frankfurt
• 2023: Sevilla
• 2024: Atalanta
• 2025: Tottenham Hotspur

Most successful clubs

• Sevilla (Spain) – 7 titles
• Inter Milan (Italy) – 3 titles
• Juventus (Italy) – 3 titles
• Liverpool (England) – 3 titles
• Atlético Madrid (Spain) – 3 titles
• Tottenham Hotspur (England) – 3 titles

Top scorers

The competition’s all-time scoring records combine the UEFA Cup and Europa League eras. Players such as Henrik Larsson, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are among the leading scorers across the competition’s history.

Most appearances

Players such as Giuseppe Bergomi and João Moutinho are among the leaders for appearances across the UEFA Cup and Europa League eras.

Players of significance

Henrik Larsson remains one of the most important forwards in the competition’s history due to his goalscoring record across the UEFA Cup and Europa League eras.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also been a consistent performer in the modern competition, contributing heavily in knockout matches.

Players from Sevilla’s dominant era have shaped the modern identity of the competition, reflecting the club’s sustained success.

Managers of significance

Unai Emery is the most successful manager in the competition’s history, leading Sevilla to three consecutive titles and later winning the tournament again with Villarreal.

Diego Simeone guided Atlético Madrid to multiple titles, building one of the most effective knockout teams in Europe.

José Mourinho also holds a place in the competition’s history after leading Manchester United to the title.

Records and milestones

• First winner (1972): Tottenham Hotspur (England)
• Most successful club: Sevilla (Spain) – 7 titles
• Competition rebranded in 2009
• Winners qualify for the following season’s Champions League

Why the UEFA Europa League matters

The UEFA Europa League provides clubs with a major European platform outside the Champions League. It offers consistent international competition and a direct route into Europe’s top tournament.

The competition is often more open, with a wider range of clubs capable of winning the title across different leagues.

Success in the Europa League remains a significant achievement in European football.