It’s been a tough time for English sides in this season’s Champions League, with four of the Premier League’s six representatives eliminated in the last 16. But there is still a route for as many as seven English clubs to reach the 2026/27 Champions League.
How could the Premier League have seven teams in the Champions League?
There is a specific, feasible scenario. If Liverpool win the Champions League this season and also finish in the Premier League top five, their qualification as holders would free up the league place they earned — assuming the Premier League retains five qualifying spots next season — and that spot would pass down to sixth.
If Aston Villa finish sixth and win the Europa League (they are favourites, per Opta), they would automatically qualify for the Champions League as Europa League winners. That would allow the team in seventh, currently Brentford, to qualify via the league. That sequence would give England seven teams in next season’s competition.
And another four in Europe overall — so 11 in total?
Yes. If England reaches seven Champions League slots, there would still be two Europa League qualifying places and one Conference League place to allocate, which could extend as far down as 10th in the Premier League.
If Crystal Palace win this season’s Conference League (they are also among the favourites), that victory would secure them a Europa League place. If Palace then finished outside the top 10, England could have 11 clubs competing in European competitions next season.
How likely is the Premier League to have five Champions League qualifying spots?
Despite recent results, the Premier League still has more teams left in Europe than most countries and currently leads the coefficient rankings that determine whether the league earns an extra Champions League berth. The main challenge is that England has only two clubs remaining in the Champions League itself, and the Champions League yields the most coefficient points per win, draw and round progression compared with the Europa League and Conference League.
On the positive side, other contenders for the top coefficient spots have limited representation remaining — only one club left from Germany, Portugal and France in the Champions League — which reduces the risk of England being overtaken.
Who is in the mix to qualify for the Champions League?
Assuming the Premier League secures five places by league position, eight English teams have at least a 5% chance of qualifying, and that chance would rise if the league ends up with more than five places. Even Newcastle, down in 12th, sit only seven points off fifth with as many games remaining. Much will depend on the run-in: the form and remaining fixtures of those currently in the top five and the closest challengers, notably Chelsea and Brentford, will shape the final outcome.