Europa Conference League

Dates 11.07.2023 - 29.05.2024
Category International
Participants 32
Europa Conference League

Schedule

Quarter Finals
11 apr 2024, 12:45 Olympiacos - : - Fenerbahce
11 apr 2024, 12:45 Viktoria Plzen - : - Fiorentina
11 apr 2024, 15:00 Club Brugge - : - PAOK Thessaloniki FC
11 apr 2024, 15:00 Aston Villa - : - Lille
18 apr 2024, 12:45 Lille - : - Aston Villa
18 apr 2024, 12:45 Fiorentina - : - Viktoria Plzen
18 apr 2024, 15:00 PAOK Thessaloniki FC - : - Club Brugge
18 apr 2024, 15:00 Fenerbahce - : - Olympiacos

Europa Conference League Latest News

Key Features of the Europa Conference League

CharacteristicValue
Year of foundation2021
OrganizerUEFA
Duration12 months
Members187 teams
LocationVaries
FormatLeague and knockout stages
Known teamsAll teams that are not eligible for the Champions League or Europa League
The final matchHeld in a predetermined venue
BroadcastVaries
Previous winnerFeyenoord (2022)
Record winnerNone
Final heldAlbania (2023)
Record number of goals scored in a final403 (2021–22). The most prolific team in that season was Roma, who scored 57 goals in their 19 matches.

The Europa Conference League: A New Era in European Football

European football has always been synonymous with prestigious tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. However, in recent years, a new addition to the European football landscape has emerged – the Europa Conference League. Created by UEFA, the governing body for European football, the competition aims to provide additional opportunities for clubs from smaller football nations to compete on the continental stage. In this article, we delve into the history, format, teams, important events, and intriguing facts surrounding this exciting tournament.

History

The Europa Conference League was officially announced by UEFA in December 2018 and was designed to bridge the gap between the elite competitions, the Champions League and the Europa League, and domestic leagues with lower coefficients. It sought to give clubs from countries with lower-ranked leagues a chance to experience European competition and potentially qualify for the higher-tier tournaments in the future.

Format

The Europa Conference League follows a similar format to the UEFA Europa League. The competition begins with three qualifying rounds, involving clubs from the lower-ranked UEFA member associations and teams eliminated from the early stages of the Europa League. These preliminary rounds are followed by a playoff round to determine the final teams entering the group stage.

The group stage comprises 32 teams divided into eight groups of four. Each team plays home and away fixtures against the other teams in their group. The top two teams from each group progress to the knockout stage, which consists of two-legged ties leading up to the final.

Teams

The competition provides an opportunity for teams from lesser-known leagues to gain European experience. It includes clubs from associations ranked between 16th and 55th in the UEFA coefficient rankings. These associations include countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Luxembourg, and many more. The inclusion of such teams brings a diverse range of footballing cultures to the tournament.

Important Events and Facts:

  • In the inaugural season of the Europa Conference League (2021-2022), the trophy was lifted by Italian club AS Roma, who defeated Feyenoord in the final, held in Tirana, Albania.
  • The Europa Conference League offers a unique chance for smaller clubs to compete against more prominent European sides, potentially leading to memorable upsets and Cinderella stories.
  • The winner of the tournament earns an automatic spot in the following season's UEFA Europa League, providing them with a pathway to progress and compete in higher-level competitions.
  • The Europa Conference League not only benefits the participating clubs but also provides a platform for players to showcase their talents on a broader stage, attracting attention from scouts and potential transfers to more prominent clubs.
  • The tournament's format encourages teams to adopt an attacking style of play, resulting in exciting matches and increased goal-scoring opportunities.

Conclusion

The Europa Conference League has quickly established itself as an intriguing addition to the European football calendar. Designed to provide more opportunities for clubs from smaller football nations, the tournament offers a platform for growth, development, and increased exposure for both teams and players. As the competition evolves, the tournament has the potential to become a stepping stone for clubs aiming to make their mark on the continental stage, while captivating fans with its unique blend of footballing cultures and thrilling encounters.