UEFA Conference League 2025-26: Chelsea Enters Knockout Phase as Crystal Palace Joins Competition

NEW YORK, January 29, 2026 – The 2025-26 UEFA Conference League enters a critical phase this week as the knockout stage picture comes into focus. With the Europa League league phase concluding today, several notable clubs—including Chelsea and recently-demoted Crystal Palace—are now confirmed for Europe’s third-tier competition, while an Irish club faces expulsion.

Premier League Clubs Shift European Landscape

The European football landscape has seen significant movement among English clubs. Chelsea, after their Champions League campaign ended, will continue their European season in the Conference League according to UEFA’s official club page. More dramatically, Crystal Palace have been demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations, ending their dream of a deeper Europa League run.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have secured direct qualification to the Europa League’s last 16 after finishing second in their league phase group, while Nottingham Forest are also set to progress. These performances contribute to England’s coefficient, with the Premier League positioned to earn a fifth Champions League spot for the 2026-27 season based on current European results.

Knockout Phase Structure & Key Dates

The UEFA Conference League follows a similar format to its elite counterparts, with teams entering from various pathways. The “Champions Path” involves clubs coming through the Champions League qualifying rounds, while the “Main Path” features teams that have navigated the Europa League and Conference League qualifying stages.

The knockout phase play-offs represent the next hurdle for many Conference League contenders. These matches determine which clubs advance to the round of 16, where they’ll join the competition’s top performers from the league phase.

Key Facts & Developments

Irish Club Faces Heartbreak

In a separate development, Irish top-flight club Drogheda United have been expelled from the Conference League after losing their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The club described themselves as “heartbroken” by UEFA’s decision, which removes them from European competition entirely for this season.

Upcoming Draws Set Stage

Friday, January 30, 2026, will be a pivotal day for European football, with three major draws scheduled. The UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw occurs at 12:00 CET, followed by the Europa League equivalent at 13:00 CET. The Conference League draw is expected to follow, setting the matchups for the knockout phase play-offs that begin on February 19.

These draws will determine which clubs face each other in two-legged ties, with winners advancing to the round of 16. The seeding for these matches has already been calculated, with clubs ranked based on their performance in the league phase and qualifying rounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UEFA Conference League?

The UEFA Europa Conference League is Europe’s third-tier club competition, introduced in 2021 to give more clubs from across the continent access to European football. It sits below the Champions League and Europa League in UEFA’s competition hierarchy.

How do teams qualify for the Conference League knockout phase?

Teams qualify through multiple pathways: some enter directly from the Conference League league phase, others drop down from the Europa League (like Crystal Palace), while additional clubs come through the Champions League qualifying rounds. The exact format involves group winners advancing directly to the round of 16, while other placed teams enter knockout phase play-offs.

When is the Conference League final?

The 2025-26 UEFA Conference League final will be played on May 20, 2026, in Istanbul, Turkey, following the Europa League final in the same city.