Does the Europa League winner qualify for the Champions League?

Although the Europa League is often viewed as the Champions League’s little sibling, the two tournaments are closely linked by one of UEFA’s biggest rewards for winning its second-tier competition.

Europa League prize on the line

Since 2015, the Europa League winner has earned direct qualification for the Champions League. That initially meant entry into the group stage between 2015 and 2024. It has remained the case following the Champions League’s expansion and format change, which introduced the league phase over the past two seasons.

That will again be true when the next edition gets underway in 2026-27, meaning one of Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Braga, or Freiburg, the 2025-26 Europa League semifinalists, is guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League league phase.

That would not only bring the enticing prospect of glamour ties against some of Europe’s biggest names, but also the significant financial rewards that come with it.

Aston Villa’s multiple Champions League routes

Villa could also qualify for the Champions League through their Premier League finish. Indeed, if Unai Emery’s side win the Europa League and finish fifth, the sixth-best team in England’s top flight would also sneak into the Champions League league phase.

Braga and Freiburg chasing an upgrade

A Champions League spot would represent a major step up for both Braga and Freiburg.

The Portuguese side, currently fourth in their domestic league, are on course to qualify for Conference League qualifiers. Meanwhile, Freiburg, sitting eighth in the Bundesliga, would need to overhaul Eintracht Frankfurt to secure that same European pathway.

Nottingham Forest hope to avoid making history

But the club with the most to gain is Forest, who have spent much of the season locked in a relegation battle they are still not completely out of.

The two-time European champions are five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with four games left to play, so they could do with picking up a few more points to ensure they escape the drop.

If Forest were to drop into the bottom three and win the Europa League, they would become the first second-tier team to play in the Champions League since the competition was formed in 1992.

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