Premier League confirms fifth Champions League spot: Which teams will qualify?

At least five English clubs will take part in the 2026-27 Champions League after Arsenal’s victory over Sporting CP on Tuesday.

As part of the Champions League’s recent overhaul, which expanded the competition to 36 teams in the new league phase, UEFA introduced two additional places each season. These are awarded to the domestic leagues whose clubs perform best across European competitions in the previous campaign.

The Premier League is now guaranteed to finish in the top two in that category thanks to Arsenal’s victory in Lisbon. Spain is best placed to get the second spot ahead of Germany, Portugal and Italy.

How the extra spots are decided

The ranking is based on results in the Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League. Teams pick up points for their domestic league’s coefficient through wins, draws and progression through knockout rounds.

Confirmation of the extra Champions League place through league position offers a huge incentive to a whole host of teams still in contention to finish fifth, with seven games of the current Premier League season to go.

Who is in control?

The top two, Arsenal and Manchester City, will certainly be involved in next year’s Champions League. Manchester United in third and Aston Villa in fourth, six and five points ahead of fifth place respectively, are also in commanding positions when it comes to qualification.

After that, however, as many as 10 teams might believe they still have a chance of hearing the famous anthem in 2026-27.

Crowded race for fifth

Liverpool, who are not in great form, currently hold fifth spot. Eight clubs, down to 13th-placed Bournemouth, are within seven points.

Although making up a seven-point gap with seven games to play will be quite the challenge, stranger things have happened in soccer.

Chelsea, just a point adrift, are best placed to challenge Liverpool, with Brentford and Everton a further two points behind.

Fulham, five points back, along with Brighton and Sunderland, both six behind, plus Newcastle and Bournemouth, seven behind, are on the outside looking in but could yet make a push with a strong finish.

Even Crystal Palace, 10 points behind Liverpool, might feel they are not completely out of the reckoning. However, they will almost certainly need to win their game in hand against Manchester City to keep even slim hopes alive.

Premier League: the race for fifth place

More places still possible

While five Premier League teams are guaranteed in next season’s Champions League, even more could qualify if English clubs go on to win this year’s competition and or the Europa League.

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