By Martin Graham
The possibility of an unprecedented number of English clubs playing in European competitions remains alive, even after Liverpool’s Champions League exit ended hopes of reaching 11 participants. With multiple routes still open through league positions and continental trophies, as many as 10 Premier League sides could yet qualify. The final outcome depends on both domestic standings and results in UEFA tournaments, making the situation increasingly complex.
The role of European performance spots
A major factor shaping qualification is UEFA’s European Performance Spots (EPS), which reward the two strongest leagues each season with an additional Champions League place. The Premier League has already secured one of these for 2026-27, guaranteeing at least eight English teams in Europe.
The EPS system operates after all other qualification rules are applied, ensuring it always adds one extra berth to a league’s allocation. Before this bonus was confirmed, England was on course to have seven clubs in European competitions, but now that baseline has increased.
As things stand, the league’s fifth-place side will enter the Champions League, sixth place will qualify for the Europa League, and seventh place will move into the Conference League. However, the tight cluster of teams battling for these positions means the final standings could still shift significantly.
With only six points separating fifth from 10th and several clubs just behind, the race remains wide open. Teams as low as mid-table still have realistic ambitions of breaking into the European places before the season concludes.
What happens if English teams win European trophies
Outcomes in UEFA competitions could dramatically alter the number of English representatives. If Arsenal win the Champions League, it would not change England’s allocation because they are expected to finish in the top four. In that case, the reserved titleholder spot would instead pass to another qualifying club with a strong coefficient.
The Europa League presents more complicated scenarios. Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest meet in the semi-finals, ensuring at least one English finalist. If Villa win and also finish in the top four, the overall allocation remains unchanged, leaving England with five Champions League teams and eight in total across competitions.
However, if Villa lift the trophy and finish outside the top four, they would qualify for the Champions League as titleholders, increasing England’s total to six clubs in that competition. This would trigger a reshuffling of Europa and Conference League spots, as UEFA rules require any overlapping qualification places to be surrendered and redistributed.
Forest’s situation is more straightforward. Sitting well outside domestic qualification places and already out of the FA Cup, their only route to Europe is by winning the Europa League. Should they do so, England would gain an additional Champions League entrant and at least nine teams in Europe overall.
Conference League impact and Palace’s opportunity
Crystal Palace also have a potential role in expanding England’s presence. If they win the Conference League, they will earn a place in the following season’s Europa League. Given their current league position, this would likely add an extra English team rather than replace an existing qualifier.
This scenario would push the total number of English clubs in Europe to at least nine. If both Palace and the Europa League winners come from outside the domestic qualification spots, the number could rise further.
There are also permutations involving league finishes. If Palace climb into a position that would normally secure European football, the EPS adjustment would shift qualification places downward, potentially allowing another team to enter the Conference League.
The FA Cup outcome also plays a role. If a top team wins it, European spots pass further down the league table. But if a lower-ranked side claims the trophy, they take a Europa League place without affecting others, preserving additional opportunities.
The path to a maximum of 10 teams
The highest possible number of English clubs in Europe next season is 10. This would require a combination of factors: standard league qualification, the EPS allocation, and European trophy winners finishing outside domestic qualifying positions.
In this scenario, the top four would enter the Champions League alongside two additional sides, either through EPS or by winning the Europa League. Two teams would compete in the Europa League, while one would take part in the Conference League.
Extra places would come from clubs like Forest or Villa winning the Europa League without finishing in the top six and Palace securing the Conference League while also missing out domestically. These outcomes would stack additional entries rather than replace existing ones.
Although reaching 11 teams was theoretically possible at the start of the season, Arsenal’s league position rules that out. Still, with multiple competitions ongoing and league standings tightly packed, the Premier League could yet see an extraordinary 10 clubs competing across Europe next season.
