Season 2025/2026
Source: https://www.uefa.com/uefaconferenceleague/
2026 UEFA Conference League Final
The 2026 UEFA Conference League Final took place on May 27, 2026, at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany. Crystal Palace secured their first-ever European trophy with a narrow victory over Spanish side Rayo Vallecano.
Breakdown of the match result, key statistics, and scorers:
Match Overview
| Match Element | Details |
| Fixture | Crystal Palace (ENG) vs Rayo Vallecano (ESP) |
| Final Score | 1 – 0 |
| Date | May 27, 2026 |
| Venue | Red Bull Arena (Leipzig, Germany) |
| Attendance | 39,176 |
| Player of the Match | Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) |
| Referee | Maurizio Mariani (Italy) |
Match Events & Scorers
| Team | Goals / Key Events | Yellow Cards |
| Crystal Palace | Jean-Philippe Mateta (51′) | Adam Wharton (41′), Yéremy Pino (73′), Chadi Riad (81′) |
| Rayo Vallecano | — | Pathé Ciss (19′), Isi Palazón (22′), Unai López (47′), Álvaro García (61′), Nobel Mendy (84′), Alfonso Espino (90+1′) |
Key Match Statistics
| Crystal Palace | Statistic | Rayo Vallecano |
| 1 | Goals Scored | 0 |
| 7 | Total Shots | 9 |
| 2 | Shots on Target | 1 |
| 41% | Ball Possession | 59% |
| 78% | Passing Accuracy | 82% |
| 4 | Corner Kicks | 1 |
| 16 | Fouls Committed | 15 |
| 3 | Yellow Cards | 6 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
Crystal Palace became the third consecutive London club to lift the Conference League trophy (following West Ham in 2023 and Chelsea in 2025) and earned direct qualification into the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League.
The 2026 UEFA Conference League Final was scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
The match kicked off at 21:00 CEST at the Leipzig Stadium (Red Bull Arena) in Leipzig, Germany, featuring English side Crystal Palace against Spanish club Rayo Vallecano.
2025/26 UEFA Conference League Half-finals
Here is the summary of the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League semi-final results, organized by date:
| Date | Match | Result | Round |
| April 30, 2026 | FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Crystal Palace | 1–3 | Semi-Finals, 1st Leg |
| April 30, 2026 | Rayo Vallecano vs. RC Strasbourg Alsace | 1–0 | Semi-Finals, 1st Leg |
| May 7, 2026 | Crystal Palace vs. FC Shakhtar Donetsk | 2–1 (5–2 agg.) | Semi-Finals, 2nd Leg |
| May 7, 2026 | RC Strasbourg Alsace vs. Rayo Vallecano | 0–1 (0–2 agg.) | Semi-Finals, 2nd Leg |
Finalists: Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano.
2025/26 UEFA Conference League quarter-finals
The second leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League quarter-finals, taking place on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Match Schedule & Aggregate Scores
| Kick-off | Matchup | 1st Leg Score | 2nd Leg Score | Current Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:45 | Alkmaar vs. Shakhtar Donetsk | 0–3 | 2-2 | 2–5 |
| 21:00 | RC Strasbourg vs. Mainz 05 | 0–2 | 4-0 | 4–2 |
| 21:00 | Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace | 0–3 | 2-1 | 2–4 |
| 21:00 | AEK Athens vs. Rayo Vallecano | 0–3 | 3-1 | 3–4 |
Quarter-Final First Leg Schedule
| Match | Status / Time (CEST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Rayo Vallecano vs. AEK Athens | 3:0 | Estadio de Vallecas |
| Crystal Palace vs. ACF Fiorentina | 3:0 | Selhurst Park |
| Shakhtar Donetsk vs. AZ Alkmaar | 3:0 | Henryk-Reyman-Stadium (Kraków) |
| 1. FSV Mainz 05 vs. RC Strasbourg | 2:0 | Mewa Arena |
Tournament Notes
- The Return Legs: All four second-leg matches are scheduled for next Thursday, April 16.
- Road to Leipzig: The winners of these ties will advance to the semi-finals on April 30 and May 7.
- The Grand Final: This season’s final will be held at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, on May 27, 2026.
Rayo Vallecano has taken a commanding early lead in the opening fixture, scoring twice in the first half against AEK Athens. All eyes now turn to London for the high-profile clash between Premier League side Crystal Palace and last year’s finalists, Fiorentina.
The second-leg matches of the UEFA Conference League (the “Green League”) Round of 16 were completed on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Here are the full results and the final aggregate scores:
UEFA Conference League: Round of 16 Results
| Matchup | Second Leg | Aggregate | Winner |
| Mainz 05 vs. Sigma Olomouc | 2–0 | 2–0 | Mainz 05 |
| AEK Athens vs. Celje | 0–0 | 4–0 | AEK Athens |
| Raków vs. Fiorentina | 1–2 | 2–4 | Fiorentina |
| AEK Larnaca vs. Crystal Palace | 1–2 (AET) | 1–2 | Crystal Palace |
| Rayo Vallecano vs. Samsunspor | 3–1 | 6–2 | Rayo Vallecano |
| Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Lech Poznań | 3–1 | 6–2 | Shakhtar Donetsk |
| Sparta Praha vs. AZ Alkmaar | 1–2 | 2–4 | AZ Alkmaar |
| Strasbourg vs. Rijeka | 2–1 | 4–2 | Strasbourg |
Quick Analysis
- Extra Time Drama: The most dramatic finish belonged to Crystal Palace, who needed extra time to break down a 9-man AEK Larnaca. Ismaïla Sarr scored both goals for Palace.
- History for Mainz: By defeating Sigma Olomouc, Mainz 05 reached the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time in their club’s history.
- Diverse Field: The final eight teams represent eight different countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, England, Spain, Ukraine, Netherlands, and France), highlighting the tournament’s broad reach.
Quarter-final Schedule
The first-leg matches are set for April 9, 2026:
- Shakhtar Donetsk vs. AZ Alkmaar
- Crystal Palace vs. Fiorentina
- Rayo Vallecano vs. AEK Athens
- Mainz 05 vs. Strasbourg
Thursday, March 12, 2026, marks the first leg of the UEFA Conference League Round of 16. Like the Europa League, the matches are divided into two kickoff windows.
Here is a breakdown of the results from the first-leg matches on Thursday, March 12, 2026:
🏆 Round of 16: First Leg Results
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Key Highlights |
| Celje (SVN) | 0–4 | AEK Athens (GRE) | AEK Athens dominated early, scoring three goals before halftime. |
| Samsunspor (TUR) | 1–3 | Rayo Vallecano (ESP) | Alemão netted a double to put the Spanish side in the driver’s seat. |
| Lech Poznań (POL) | 1–3 | Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) | Shakhtar secured a clinical away win, including a goal by overhead kick. |
| Rijeka (CRO) | 1–2 | Strasbourg (FRA) | Strasbourg struck in the first 2 minutes to keep their unbeaten run alive. |
| AZ Alkmaar (NED) | 2–1 | Sparta Prague (CZE) | Troy Parrott was the hero with a brace, including an 87th-minute winner. |
| Fiorentina (ITA) | 2–1 | Raków (POL) | A late penalty from Albert Gudmundsson completed the Viola’s comeback. |
| Crystal Palace (ENG) | 0–0 | AEK Larnaca (CYP) | Palace struggled to break through Larnaca’s resolute “low block.” |
| Sigma Olomouc (CZE) | 0–0 | Mainz (GER) | A cagey affair in Czechia with few clear-cut chances for either side. |
📅 What’s Next?
The second legs are scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026. Teams like AEK Athens and Rayo Vallecano have massive advantages, while the ties in London and Olomouc are essentially starting from scratch.
The winners of these matches will advance to the Quarter-finals, which begin on April 9.
As of January 2026, the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League has concluded its league phase and the bracket for the knockout rounds is set.
Here is the complete schedule for the 2026 knockout stages, including the specific matchups for the upcoming play-off round.
2026 Knockout Phase Schedule
Note: Kick-off times are typically split between 18:45 CET and 21:00 CET (Central European Time) for all rounds except the final.
| Round | First Leg | Second Leg |
| Knockout Play-offs | February 19, 2026 | February 26, 2026 |
| Round of 16 | March 12, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
| Quarter-finals | April 9, 2026 | April 16, 2026 |
| Semi-finals | April 30, 2026 | May 7, 2026 |
| Final | May 27, 2026 | 21:00 CET (Leipzig) |
The UEFA Conference League draws for the Round of 16
The UEFA Conference League draws for the Round of 16 through to the Final were also conducted today, Friday, February 27, 2026.
The draw has set up several intriguing matchups, including Crystal Palace taking on AEK Larnaca and Fiorentina facing Raków Częstochowa.
Round of 16 Matchups
| Home (First Leg) | Away (First Leg) | First Leg Date | Second Leg Date |
| Lech Poznań (POL) | Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) | March 12, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
| AZ Alkmaar (NED) | Sparta Praha (CZE) | March 12, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
| Crystal Palace (ENG) | AEK Larnaca (CYP) | March 12, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
| Fiorentina (ITA) | Raków Częstochowa (POL) | March 12, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
| Samsunspor (TUR) | Rayo Vallecano (ESP) | March 12, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
| Celje (SVN) | AEK Athens (GRE) | March 12, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
| Sigma Olomouc (CZE) | Mainz 05 (GER) | March 12, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
| Rijeka (CRO) | Strasbourg (FRA) | March 12, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
Knockout Stage Calendar
The road to the final in Leipzig follows the same schedule as the Europa League.
| Round | First Leg | Second Leg |
| Round of 16 | March 12, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
| Quarter-finals | April 9, 2026 | April 16, 2026 |
| Semi-finals | April 30, 2026 | May 7, 2026 |
| Final (Leipzig) | May 27, 2026 | — |
Quarter-final Bracket Path
- Winner Match 1: Lech Poznań/Shakhtar vs. AZ Alkmaar/Sparta Praha+1
- Winner Match 2: Crystal Palace/AEK Larnaca vs. Fiorentina/Raków+1
- Winner Match 3: Samsunspor/Rayo Vallecano vs. Celje/AEK Athens
- Winner Match 4: Sigma Olomouc/Mainz vs. Rijeka/Strasbourg+1
Knockout Play-offs February 19, 2026
Play-off Round Matchups (Feb 19 & 26)
These matches determine who joins the top 8 seeded teams in the Round of 16. The “Home” team listed first plays the first leg at home.
| Matchup | First Leg (Feb 19) | Second Leg (Feb 26) |
| KuPS (FIN) vs. Lech Poznań (POL) | 18:45 / 21:00 | 18:45 / 21:00 |
| Noah (ARM) vs. AZ Alkmaar (NED) | 18:45 / 21:00 | 18:45 / 21:00 |
| Zrinjski Mostar (BIH) vs. Crystal Palace (ENG) | 18:45 / 21:00 | 18:45 / 21:00 |
| Jagiellonia Białystok (POL) vs. Fiorentina (ITA) | 18:45 / 21:00 | 18:45 / 21:00 |
| Shkëndija (MKD) vs. Samsunspor (TUR) | 18:45 / 21:00 | 18:45 / 21:00 |
| Drita (KOS) vs. Celje (SVN) | 18:45 / 21:00 | 18:45 / 21:00 |
| Sigma Olomouc (CZE) vs. Lausanne-Sport (SUI) | 18:45 / 21:00 | 18:45 / 21:00 |
| Omonia (CYP) vs. Rijeka (CRO) | 18:45 / 21:00 | 18:45 / 21:00 |
Key Information
- Seeded Teams (Awaiting in Round of 16): Strasbourg, Raków Częstochowa, AEK Athens, Sparta Prague, Rayo Vallecano, Shakhtar Donetsk, Mainz 05, and AEK Larnaca.
- Draw Date: The draw for the Round of 16 and the rest of the bracket takes place on February 27, 2026.
- Final Venue: Leipzig Stadium (Red Bull Arena), Germany.
UEFA Conference League league phase
The 2025/26 UEFA Conference League league phase, featuring the new 36-team “Swiss-style” single league format, concluded on December 18, 2025. It was a historic stage that saw several debutants making deep runs and established clubs navigating a more unpredictable schedule.
League Phase Summary
- Dominant Leaders: Strasbourg finished at the top of the table with 16 points, remaining unbeaten alongside runners-up Raków Częstochowa and 8th-placed AEK Larnaca.
- The Big Eight: The top 8 teams—Strasbourg, Raków, AEK Athens, Sparta Praha, Rayo Vallecano, Shakhtar Donetsk, Mainz 05, and AEK Larnaca—secured a direct “bye” to the Round of 16.
- Major Upsets & Surprises: Several high-profile teams like Fiorentina and Crystal Palace struggled to find consistency, eventually slipping into the knockout play-offs rather than the top 8.
- National Milestones: This phase saw the first-ever teams from Armenia (Noah), Finland (KuPS), Kosovo (Drita), and North Macedonia (Shkëndija) qualify for a senior European knockout stage.
Final League Phase Standings (Top 24)
The top 8 advanced directly to the Round of 16, while 9th–24th entered the knockout play-offs.
| Rank | Team | Points | GD | Status |
| 1 | Strasbourg | 16 | +6 | Round of 16 |
| 2 | Raków Częstochowa | 14 | +7 | Round of 16 |
| 3 | AEK Athens | 13 | +7 | Round of 16 |
| 4 | Sparta Praha | 13 | +7 | Round of 16 |
| 5 | Rayo Vallecano | 13 | +6 | Round of 16 |
| 6 | Shakhtar Donetsk | 13 | +5 | Round of 16 |
| 7 | Mainz 05 | 13 | +4 | Round of 16 |
| 8 | AEK Larnaca | 12 | +6 | Round of 16 |
| 9 | Lausanne-Sport | 11 | +3 | Play-offs (Seeded) |
| 10 | Crystal Palace | 10 | +5 | Play-offs (Seeded) |
| 11 | Lech Poznań | 10 | +4 | Play-offs (Seeded) |
| 12 | Samsunspor | 10 | +4 | Play-offs (Seeded) |
| 13 | Celje | 10 | +1 | Play-offs (Seeded) |
| 14 | AZ Alkmaar | 10 | 0 | Play-offs (Seeded) |
| 15 | Fiorentina | 9 | +3 | Play-offs (Seeded) |
| 16 | Rijeka | 9 | +3 | Play-offs (Seeded) |
| 17 | Jagiellonia Białystok | 9 | +1 | Play-offs (Unseeded) |
| 18 | Omonia | 8 | +1 | Play-offs (Unseeded) |
| 19 | Noah | 8 | -1 | Play-offs (Unseeded) |
| 20 | Drita | 8 | -4 | Play-offs (Unseeded) |
| 21 | KuPS Kuopio | 7 | +1 | Play-offs (Unseeded) |
| 22 | Shkëndija | 7 | -1 | Play-offs (Unseeded) |
| 23 | Zrinjski Mostar | 7 | -2 | Play-offs (Unseeded) |
| 24 | Sigma Olomouc | 7 | -2 | Play-offs (Unseeded) |
Knockout Play-off Results
Following the league phase, teams ranked 9th through 24th played a two-legged play-off in February 2026 to join the top 8 in the Round of 16.
| Matchup | Aggregate Score | Winner |
| KuPS vs. Lech Poznań | 1–3 | Lech Poznań |
| Noah vs. AZ Alkmaar | 1–4 | AZ Alkmaar |
| Zrinjski vs. Crystal Palace | 1–3 | Crystal Palace |
| Jagiellonia vs. Fiorentina | 4–5 (AET) | Fiorentina |
| Shkëndija vs. Samsunspor | 1–5 | Samsunspor |
| Drita vs. Celje | 4–6 | Celje |
| Sigma Olomouc vs. Lausanne | 3–2 | Sigma Olomouc |
| Omonia vs. Rijeka | 1–4 | Rijeka |
The UEFA Conference League is the third-tier competition in European club football, ranking below the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
Key points in its history are:
- Establishment: It was officially launched by UEFA for the 2021/2022 season.
- Purpose: The competition was created primarily to make European club football more inclusive, ensuring more clubs, particularly from lower-ranked UEFA member associations, had the chance to participate in a continental tournament’s group stage. Its introduction also coincided with the reduction of the UEFA Europa League group stage from 48 to 32 teams.
- Original Name: The competition was initially named the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL).
- Inaugural Season: The first season was 2021/2022, with AS Roma becoming the inaugural winners.
- Name Change: In 2023, UEFA announced that the competition would be renamed the UEFA Conference League starting from the 2024/2025 season. This was done to help it develop further as a stand-alone competition.
- Format Changes: From the 2024/2025 season, the traditional group stage was replaced with an expanded league phase featuring 36 teams, mirroring changes made to the other two UEFA club competitions.
The competition provides another pathway for clubs to achieve continental success, with the winner earning a spot in the following season’s UEFA Europa League (unless they qualify for the Champions League through their domestic league).
