The Premier League could have as many as seven representatives in next season’s Champions League following a UEFA rule change.
A maximum of seven clubs could be in the Champions League with a further three places available in the Europa League and one in the Conference League. However, in order for that to happen, a very specific set of circumstances would have to occur.
The Premier League are on course for having at least five clubs in the Champions League following a UEFA rule change that awards an extra qualification spot based on league position to the two nations with the highest coefficients over the course of the season.
With Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa all qualifying from the league phase of the Champions League, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur doing the same in the Europa League and Chelsea topping their Conference League table – the Premier League are almost certain for a fifth place qualification spot for next season’s Champions League.
A view of the Champions League trophy (Photo by Kristian Skeie – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
No side finishing lower than fifth in the Premier League will be able to qualify for the Champions League based on league position alone.
However, the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United underperforming presents the possibility of a unique situation unfolding.
Man City currently sit fifth in the Premier League table and are only ahead of Newcastle on goals scored. Should they finish outside of the top five and repeat their 2023 feat of winning the Champions League, they would be granted a place in next season’s competition.
The same goes for Aston Villa, who currently sit eighth. Arsenal and Liverpool are currently secure in the top two positions in the Premier League table and are unlikely to drop out of the top five.
Previously, a club winning the Champions League and finishing outside of the Champions League places has removed a qualification spot based on league position. But that is no longer the case, UEFA rules do not limit Champions League qualification places in such a way.
As such, the Premier League could have seven teams in next seasons Champions League should there be an English winner of both the Champions League and Europa League who finish outside of the top five.
