Premier League Poised for Extra Champions League Spot in 2025-26
The Premier League is on course to secure an extra Champions League place for the 2025-26 season, thanks to the strong performances of English clubs in European competitions.
UEFA’s coefficient ranking system will reward the two best-performing leagues with an additional UCL spot, and England currently leads the race.
However, with crucial European fixtures still to play, the final outcome remains uncertain.
How Does a League Earn an Extra Champions League Spot?
UEFA’s coefficient ranking system determines which leagues gain an additional Champions League berth. The rankings are based on the performance of clubs in UEFA’s three major tournaments:
- Champions League (UCL)
- Europa League (UEL)
- Conference League (UECL)
Coefficient Points System
| Result | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Win | 2 Points |
| Draw | 1 Point |
The total points earned by a league’s clubs are then divided by the number of teams competing in Europe to determine that league’s coefficient score.
For example, if Premier League teams earn 100 points and seven teams are competing in UEFA competitions, the coefficient would be:
📊 100 ÷ 7 = 14.28
Leagues that finish in the top two of the coefficient rankings will receive an extra UCL spot for the following season.
Who Leads the Coefficient Rankings?
As of now, England leads the coefficient standings, with six out of seven teams reaching the last 16 across UEFA’s three competitions.
Current UEFA Coefficient Rankings (Top 5)
| Rank | Country | Coefficient Score |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | England | 14.28 |
| 🥈 2nd | Italy | 13.75 |
| 🥉 3rd | Spain | 13.50 |
| 4th | Germany | 12.89 |
| 5th | France | 11.22 |
- Manchester City’s loss to Real Madrid is the only major setback for England.
- Italy had a poor run, with AC Milan, Atalanta, and Juventus all losing in the UCL knockout play-offs.
- Germany faces a challenge, with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund drawn into the same half of the UCL bracket.
- France is struggling, with only PSG, Lille, and Lyon still in European contention.
- Portugal remains competitive but lost Sporting in the UEL.
If England maintains its current ranking, the Premier League’s fifth-placed team will qualify for the 2025-26 Champions League.
Which Premier League Team Could Get the Extra Spot?
As it stands, Bournemouth occupies 5th place in the Premier League table.
Premier League Standings (Top 10 as of Feb 20, 2025)
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Liverpool | 61 |
| 2nd | Arsenal | 53 |
| 3rd | Nottingham Forest | 47 |
| 4th | Man City | 44 |
| 5th | Bournemouth | 43 |
| 6th | Chelsea | 43 |
| 7th | Newcastle | 41 |
| 8th | Fulham | 39 |
| 9th | Aston Villa | 39 |
| 10th | Brighton | 37 |
- The race for 5th is wide open, with just 10 points separating 3rd and 10th place—one of the tightest battles in Premier League history at this stage.
- Liverpool and Arsenal are strong favorites for top-four finishes, but the remaining clubs are locked in a fierce battle for Champions League qualification.
Could England Have Six Champions League Teams?
Yes. Under new UEFA rules, if an English club wins the Europa League but doesn’t qualify for the Champions League through the league, they will still earn a UCL spot.
Previously, a single league could only have five teams in the Champions League. However, that restriction has been removed.
Europa League & Champions League Implications
- If Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League, but finish outside the top five, they will still qualify for the UCL.
- This could mean six Premier League teams in next season’s Champions League.
Premier League Must Remain Cautious
🚨 A Word of Warning
Last season, the Premier League was in a similar position, leading the coefficient rankings at the quarter-final stage. However, a collapse saw Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, and West Ham eliminated.
Italy and Germany overtook England, securing the extra Champions League spots instead.
🔮 What’s Next?
- England remains in a stronger position this season.
- A complete collapse would be required for the Premier League to miss out on the extra UCL spot.
- The UEFA knockout stage draw on Friday will be crucial in determining England’s fate.
Key Dates to Watch
🗓️ Champions League Last-16 Draw
📍 Friday, 21 February – 11:00 GMT
📺 Live on BBC Sport website & app
🗓️ Europa League Draw
📍 Friday, 21 February – 12:00 GMT
🗓️ Conference League Draw
📍 Friday, 21 February – 13:00 GMT
Conclusion
With English clubs dominating European competitions, the Premier League is well-positioned to gain an extra Champions League place for the 2025-26 season.
- If they maintain their lead in the UEFA coefficient table, the fifth-placed team in the Premier League will qualify for the UCL.
- A Europa League victory from Manchester United or Tottenham could see six English teams in the Champions League.
- However, as last season showed, nothing is guaranteed.
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Liverpool | 28 | 20 | 7 | 1 | 66 | 26 | 40 | 67 |
| 2 |  Arsenal | 27 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 51 | 23 | 38 | 54 |
| 3 |  Nottingham Forest | 27 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 44 | 33 | 11 | 48 |
| 4 |  Man City | 27 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 53 | 37 | 16 | 47 |
| 5 |  Chelsea | 27 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 52 | 36 | 16 | 46 |
| 6 |  Newcastle | 27 | 13 | 5 | 9 | 46 | 38 | 8 | 44 |
| 7 |  Bournemouth | 27 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 45 | 32 | 13 | 43 |
| 8 |  Brighton | 27 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 44 | 39 | 5 | 43 |
| 9 |  Fulham | 27 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 40 | 36 | 4 | 42 |
| 10 |  Aston Villa | 28 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 40 | 45 | -5 | 42 |
| 11 |  Brentford | 27 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 48 | 43 | 5 | 38 |
| 12 |  Crystal Palace | 27 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 35 | 33 | 2 | 36 |
| 13 |  Tottenham | 27 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 53 | 39 | 14 | 33 |
| 14 |  Man United | 27 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 33 | 39 | -6 | 33 |
| 15 |  West Ham | 27 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 32 | 47 | -15 | 33 |
| 16 |  Everton | 27 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 30 | 34 | -4 | 32 |
| 17 |  Wolves | 27 | 6 | 4 | 17 | 37 | 56 | -19 | 22 |
| 18 |  Ipswich | 27 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 26 | 57 | -31 | 17 |
| 19 |  Leicester | 27 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 25 | 61 | -36 | 17 |
| 20 |  Southampton | 27 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 19 | 65 | -46 | 9 |