Which Premier League teams have participated in the UEFA Europa Conference League?

From Tottenham Hotspur's inaugural campaign to West Ham United's historic triumph, Premier League clubs have increasingly made their presence felt in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL). As of the 2024–25 season, multiple English teams have participated in the competition, each with its own journey and performances. Join us as we analyze which Premier League teams have featured the most in the UECL and their impact on the tournament.

Understanding the UEFA Europa Conference League

The UEFA Europa Conference League was introduced in the 2021–22 season as UEFA’s third-tier continental tournament, aimed at giving clubs from lower-ranked domestic leagues a chance to compete in Europe. However, teams from top leagues, including the Premier League, have also entered the competition when finishing outside the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League spots.

How Do Premier League Teams Qualify for the UECL?

Premier League teams can qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League through various pathways:

• League Position: The team finishing in seventh place in the Premier League earns a spot in the UECL playoff round if the domestic cup winners have already qualified for the Champions League or Europa League.
• Domestic Cup Performance: Winning the EFL Cup or FA Cup could also lead to UECL qualification, depending on other teams’ European placements.

Tottenham Hotspur: The First Premier League Team in the UECL

Tottenham Hotspur holds the distinction of being the first English club to participate in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

2021–22 Season: A Disappointing Debut

Spurs entered the inaugural 2021–22 edition of the tournament after finishing seventh in the 2020–21 Premier League season. Their campaign, however, ended in disappointment:

• They were placed in a group alongside Rennes, Vitesse, and Mura.
• A 2–1 defeat to Mura, one of the tournament's biggest upsets, placed their qualification in jeopardy.
• Due to a COVID-19 outbreak, their decisive match against Rennes was canceled, leading to UEFA awarding Rennes a 3–0 win, eliminating Spurs from the group stage.

West Ham United: The First English UECL Champions

West Ham United has had one of the most successful Premier League campaigns in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

2022–23 Season: A Historic Triumph

After finishing seventh in the 2021–22 Premier League season, West Ham entered the UECL and enjoyed a dominant campaign:

• Group Stage: Finished first in a group containing Anderlecht, FCSB, and Silkeborg.
• Knockout Stages: Eliminated AEK Larnaca, Gent, and AZ Alkmaar to reach the final.
• Final Victory: West Ham defeated Fiorentina 2–1 in the final, with goals from Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen, securing their first European trophy since 1965.

Their success solidified the competition’s reputation as a viable route for English clubs to achieve European silverware.

Aston Villa: A New Contender

Aston Villa qualified for the 2023–24 UECL after finishing seventh in the 2022–23 Premier League season, marking their return to European competition for the first time since 2010.

2023–24 Season: A Strong Campaign

• Playoff Round: Villa defeated Hibernian with a dominant 8–0 aggregate victory.
• Group Stage: Placed in a group with AZ Alkmaar, Legia Warsaw, and Zrinjski Mostar.
• Knockout Stages: Continued their impressive run, reaching the quarter-finals.

Their deep run showcased the growing importance of the UECL for Premier League clubs looking to build European experience.

Chelsea: A Surprise Entry

Chelsea’s struggles in the 2023–24 Premier League season led to an unexpected entry into the 2024–25 UEFA Europa Conference League.

2024–25 Season: Aiming for Redemption

• Chelsea’s record-breaking 8–0 victory against Noah in the league phase set a new benchmark for English clubs in the competition.
• With a strong squad, they are among the tournament favorites to lift the trophy.

What You Should Know About Premier League Teams in the UEFA Europa Conference League

• Tottenham Hotspur: First Premier League team to participate in the UECL (2021–22) but eliminated in the group stage.
• West Ham United: First English club to win the tournament (2022–23), defeating Fiorentina in the final.
• Aston Villa: Competed in the 2023–24 season, reaching the knockout stages.
• Chelsea: Entered the 2024–25 season after finishing outside Champions League and Europa League spots.
• Qualification Pathways: Premier League teams qualify through their league position or domestic cup performances.