Arsenal’s commanding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg has guaranteed the Premier League an additional European spot next season. This result ensures England will have at least five teams competing in the 2025-26 Champions League campaign.
The Premier League needed just one more win from any of its clubs across European competitions to secure one of two extra berths awarded to the highest-performing nations in UEFA’s coefficient ranking system. Under this calculation, teams earn two points for a win and one for a draw, with the total points divided by the number of participating clubs from each country.
This expanded opportunity could potentially see England represented by up to seven teams in next season’s Champions League under specific circumstances. If Aston Villa were to win this year’s competition without finishing in the Premier League’s top five, and if either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur claim the Europa League title, England’s representation would reach unprecedented levels.
Italy currently leads the race for the second additional European place, with Spain and Germany competing closely behind. The battle for these valuable Champions League positions highlights the growing financial and competitive gap between Europe’s top leagues and the rest.
In the Premier League itself, Liverpool and Arsenal appear set to claim two of the available spots as they occupy the top two positions. Nottingham Forest hold a strong third place, while a tight race exists between Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Brighton, and Bournemouth, with just eight points separating these teams.
This development comes as UEFA implements its new Champions League format next season, expanding from 32 to 36 teams and replacing the traditional group stage with a league phase. The additional English representation reflects the Premier League’s continued dominance in European competition, having provided multiple Champions League finalists in recent years.
