Need to know
Crystal Palace have the chance to win their first European trophy when they take on Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final
The UEFA Conference League Trophy is pictured with the golden medal ahead of the UEFA Conference League Final 2026 match between Crystal Palace FC and Rayo Vallecano
Crystal Palace FC and Rayo Vallecano will face off in the Conference League final(Image: Getty)
Everything you need to know about what could happen if Crystal Palace win the Conference League
Historic final milestone: Crystal Palace have reached their first-ever major European final where they will face Spanish side Rayo Vallecano. Winning this match would secure the club's first piece of continental silverware just one year after their historic FA Cup triumph.
Venue and timing: The highly anticipated match will take place at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, on Wednesday, May 27. This monumental fixture also marks the final game in charge for manager Oliver Glasner before his departure from Selhurst Park.
Continental reward: If Palace lift the trophy, they will automatically earn a direct spot in the league phase of next season's UEFA Europa League. This serves as an incredible reward for a side that endured a tough domestic campaign and finished 15th in the Premier League.
Domestic impact: A victory for Palace will not grant an additional European qualification spot to any other Premier League team. The slot they earn is a bonus awarded strictly to the tournament winner, meaning teams lower in the standings cannot inherit a European berth.
Table scenarios: Had Palace finished higher in the table and already secured a European spot through the league, England would still not gain an extra team in continental competition. Instead, because of their low 15th-place finish, a victory ensures that a record-breaking nine English clubs will compete across Europe next season.
Title winners and runners-up: Turning to the other English clubs, Premier League champions Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have all secured their places in next season's Champions League. Arsenal spectacularly ended a 22-year title drought to win the league, while City and United comfortably qualified via their second and third-place finishes.
Elite tier completion: Aston Villa and Liverpool grabbed the final two prestigious Champions League berths by finishing fourth and fifth in the table. Villa's qualification is double-backed by their recent Europa League triumph, while Liverpool clinched their spot on a dramatic final day of the domestic campaign.
Secondary tournament entrants: AFC Bournemouth and Sunderland have both successfully qualified for next season's UEFA Europa League group stage. Bournemouth secured a historic sixth-place finish, while newly-promoted Sunderland capped off a brilliant return to the top flight by finishing seventh.
Final qualification spot: Brighton & Hove Albion claimed the final automatic league qualification route by finishing eighth in the Premier League. This placement rewards the Seagulls with a spot in the UEFA Conference League play-off round for the upcoming season.
Watch the UEFA Conference League final on HBO Max
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Content Image