Champions League

What is the UEFA coefficient? Which countries could be handed a fifth Champions League slot?

When the tournament was expanded to 36 teams in 2024, two extra qualifying berths were made available to associations with the best coefficient.

TONY O BRIEN

Andy Hall

Update: Mar 19th, 2026 13:47 EDT

As we enter the final stretch of the season, we now have a clear idea about which clubs could be involved in European competition next season.

But even if a team finishes the domestic season outside of their association’s allotted qualifying berths, there is still a chance that they could sneak in via another route - the coefficient ranking.

1st: Raphinha
2nd: Vinícius Júnior
3rd: Francisco Trincão
4th: Dominik Szoboszlai

Raphinha takes Player of the Week! 👏@PlayStationEU | #UCLPOTW pic.twitter.com/lzBVSPsHPQ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 19, 2026

Two extra berths allotted

When UEFA expanded the Champions League to 36 teams in 2024, two extra qualifying berths were made available to the top countries in the overall association coefficient ranking. It means that the teams who finished just outside of the qualifying places in their respective leagues can qualify via the European Performance Spots (EPS).

For example in this current edition of the Champions League, England and Spain topped the association coefficient ranking and therefore two extra slots were awarded to the teams with the best EPS.

England and Spain, along with Germany and Italy, have four qualifying berths - the teams who finish in the top four places of the Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga and Serie A are automatically guaranteed a place in the league phase (which replaced the old group stage).

As England and Spain topped the association coefficient ranking, Newcastle United and Villarreal who both finished fifth in their respective leagues, qualified as the the teams with the best EPS.

WHAT. A. MOMENT.

GET IN!!!!! https://t.co/4NmfFYumui pic.twitter.com/ynYdnnCn69
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 10, 2026

How is the UEFA coefficient calculated?

UEFA has two coefficients: one for associations and another for clubs. Club coefficients are calculated by adding up the points which participating teams in all three UEFA competitions (Champions League, Europa League and Conference League) obtain over the course of the season.

To calculate the coefficient over five seasons, you only have to add the team’s coefficient during each of those five years. It can also be equal to or 20% of the federation’s five-season coefficient, whichever is the highest.

In the case of the club coefficient, the points are calculated as follows:

Champions League points

2 - All group stage wins

1 - All ties from the group stage

4 - Participation bonus in the group stage

4 - Participation bonus in the round of 16

1 - Each round that clubs reach from the round of 16

Europa League points

2 - All wins from the group stage onwards (except play-off ties)

1 - All ties from the group stage onwards (except play-off ties)

4 - Group winner

2 - Second in group

1 - Each round that the clubs reach from the round of 16 onwards

Conference League points

1- Awarded to each club eliminated in the first qualifying round

1.5 - Awarded to each club eliminated in the second qualifying round

2 - Awarded to each club eliminated in the third qualifying round

2.5 - Awarded to each club eliminated in the qualifying play-offs

2 - All wins from the group stage onwards (except play-off ties)

1 - All ties from the group stage onwards (except play-off ties)

2 - Group winner

1 - Second in group

1 - Each round that the clubs reach from the semi-finals

Association coefficients

In the case of associations, their coefficient is calculated by adding all the points obtained by their participating clubs in any of the three UEFA competitions; the result is then divided by the number of participating teams.

Who could get an extra slot through the coefficient ranking this year?

As things stand, England (114.686 points) and Italy (98.874 points) are best positioned to have five teams each in next year’s Champions League. Slightly off the pace are Spain (94.421 points) and Germany (89.759 points).

England and Spain could both boost their association coefficients if their teams get positive results in this evening’s Europa League Last 16 return legs - both countries have two clubs in action: Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. along with Betis and Celta.