Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur move closer to an all-English Europa League final, Premier League set for Champions League windfall
Both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur took significant steps toward reaching the Europa League final on Thursday night, with impressive victories in their respective semi-final ties. If they continue this form into the second legs, an all-English final on May 21 in Bilbao is looking increasingly likely — a prospect that could have major ramifications for next season’s European competitions.
Manchester United delivered a dominant performance away from home, comfortably defeating 10-man Athletic Club 3-0 in Bilbao, putting one foot firmly in the final. Spurs, meanwhile, capitalized on their home advantage, earning a commanding 3-1 win over Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt in north London. These results not only highlight the strength of English clubs in Europe this season but also open up an unprecedented situation for Premier League representation in the Champions League next term.
Thanks to Arsenal’s dramatic victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, the Premier League has secured one of the two coveted European Performance Spots (EPS) introduced this season. These extra places reward leagues whose clubs perform best in UEFA competitions, and this time, England joins Italy and Germany, whose clubs — like Bologna and Borussia Dortmund — have already benefited. This means the top five in the Premier League are guaranteed places in the 2025 Champions League, regardless of traditional top-four qualification.
What does this mean for Premier League clubs?
Assuming no further surprises, Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle, Manchester City, and Chelsea currently sit in positions that would secure their Champions League participation. However, the outcomes of the Europa League and Champions League finals could push that number even higher.
Both Manchester United and Spurs have had underwhelming domestic campaigns, leaving them outside the Premier League’s top five. However, should either side lift the Europa League trophy, they would earn a direct place in next season’s Champions League, making them the sixth Premier League representative.
The scenario becomes even more extraordinary if Arsenal were to win the Champions League — a real possibility after their elimination of Real Madrid — and somehow fall out of the top five domestically. According to Dale Johnson of ESPN, that would open the door for a seventh English club in Europe’s top competition, an all-time high.
How many English teams can qualify for Europe next season?
The permutations are vast, especially with multiple trophies and league positions still undecided. For instance:
Chelsea could qualify for the Champions League by finishing top five, but if they win the Conference League and don’t place high enough domestically, they could still qualify for the Europa League instead. Newcastle, as Carabao Cup winners, are in line for a Conference League berth unless they finish in a higher position, which could upgrade their European status. Manchester City, already likely to qualify for the Champions League through league placement, could also influence how far down the table UEFA qualification extends depending on their FA Cup performance.
According to ESPN, while it’s theoretically possible for 11 English clubs to compete across UEFA’s three European tournaments next season, such a scenario is highly unlikely. That configuration would include:
Seven teams in the Champions League (top five + Europa League winner + Champions League winner) Three in the Europa League (sixth place + FA Cup winner + Conference League winner) One in the Conference League (Carabao Cup winner)
Realistically, though, ten teams is the more probable maximum, depending on results in the closing weeks. For this to happen:
Arsenal would need to win the Champions League while dropping out of the top five (unlikely but not impossible). Chelsea would need to lift the Conference League but finish outside the top six. Either United or Spurs would need to win the Europa League to enter the Champions League. The sixth-place league team, FA Cup winners, and Chelsea (via Conference League win) would enter the Europa League. Newcastle, via the Carabao Cup, would fall into the Conference League unless they also climb the league table.
The coming weeks promise high drama not just in the Premier League run-in but also in Europe, as English clubs look poised to rewrite the record books with their continental success.
