Newcastle United could now return to the Champions League this season.
Newcastle United could now return to the Champions League this season.
Newcastle United have been handed a boost in their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
As usual, the top four teams in the Premier League will qualify for the Champions League automatically, without needing to go through any qualifying rounds. This year, though, a team finishing in fifth could also secure a spot in next season's Champions League - bypassing the Europa League.
Tottenham Hotspur finished fifth last season and qualified for the Europa League, but this time, things could be different. This season, two European leagues will receive an additional spot in the Champions League - based on their clubs' performance across all UEFA competitions.
In addition, the winners of this season's Champions League and Europa League will each secure a spot in the 2025/26 Champions League, as long as they haven't already qualified through their own position. This means the Premier League could have as many as seven clubs in next season's Champions League; the top five teams, plus the Champions League and Europa League winners, if they finish outside the top five.
This is determined by totalling coefficient points, which are based on the performances of clubs from each league in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. This means that various leagues are competing against each other in a ranking called the "association club coefficient."
Each win for a club in any of UEFA's competitions this term earns two points for the league, while a draw awards one point, and no points are given for a loss. Additionally, bonus points are awarded based on a club's position in their respective European league table, with the points weighted according to the competition.
For example, finishing first in the Champions League earns 12 bonus points, while top spot in the Europa League awards six points - while the leading team in the Conference League gets four points. Bonus points are given for advancing to each round from the last-16 onwards, with the points weighted according to the competition.
Current standings
England currently tops the table with five teams reaching the quarter-finals, more than any other league. Spain, in second place, has four teams remaining in Europe, while Italy and Germany each have three.
UEFA coefficient rankings*
England - 169.750 points - clubs at start 7 - clubs left 5 - Average points 24.250.
Spain - 151.750 points - clubs at start 7 - clubs left 4 - Average points 21.678.
Italy - 159.500 points - clubs at start 8 - clubs left 3 - Average points 19.937.
Germany - 143.375 points - clubs at start 8 - clubs left 3 - Average points 17.921.
Portugal - 81.250 points - clubs at start 5 - clubs left 0 - Average points 16.250.
*Correct at the time of writing
Newcastle are currently sixth in the Premier League, only one point from fifth-placed Manchester City.
For any team that has already secured a European spot through the league, winning the FA Cup is necessary, and England must earn an additional Champions League spot based on this season's coefficient averages for it to occur.
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