UEFA Conference League Winners: Complete Champions List, European Rewards, And Roll Of Honor
The UEFA Conference League has swiftly transformed from a European football experiment into a premier stage for domestic heavyweights and historic club triumphs. Winning Europe's third-tier continental competition guarantees not only silver trophy prestige but also an automatic ticket into the UEFA Europa League league phase for the following season.
| Season | Champion | Runner-Up | Final Score | Final Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | AS Roma | Feyenoord | 1–0 | Arena Kombëtare, Tirana |
| 2022–23 | West Ham United | Fiorentina | 2–1 | Fortuna Arena, Prague |
| 2023–24 | Olympiacos | Fiorentina | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | AEK Arena, Athens |
| 2024–25 | Chelsea | Real Betis | 2–1 | Stadion Wrocław, Wrocław |
| 2025–26 | Real Betis | Fiorentina | 1–0 | Red Bull Arena, Leipzig |
From Tirana to Leipzig: How the Conference League Redefined European Football
Since its inaugural final in May 2022, the UEFA Conference League has delivered unforgettable matches, dramatic extra-time winners, and fierce rivalries. Jose Mourinho's AS Roma etched their names into history as the inaugural winners in Tirana, ending a long European trophy drought for the Italian giant.
Subsequent editions established the tournament as a fierce battleground where Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga powerhouses compete alongside ambitious dark horses across Europe:
- 2022–23: West Ham United secured their first major European trophy in 58 years with a dramatic late winner against Fiorentina in Prague.
- 2023–24: Olympiacos made history as the first Greek club to win a major UEFA European club competition, edging past Fiorentina in Athens.
- 2024–25: Chelsea captured the trophy in Wrocław, completing a sweep of all major UEFA club competitions in their historic trophy cabinet.
- 2025–26: Real Betis powered through a relentless knockout stage, edging out Fiorentina in Leipzig to claim their maiden European crown.
Champions Prize Money, Europa League Passports, and Club Prestige
Lifting the UEFA Conference League trophy offers immediate, high-stakes sporting and financial rewards that can alter a club's economic trajectory for years.
The ultimate prize for every champion extends far beyond the silver trophy:
- Direct Europa League Ticket: The champion earns an automatic berth in the following season's UEFA Europa League league phase, bypassing grueling summer qualifiers.
- Financial Windfall: Winners secure over €5 million in direct prize money for winning the final, supplementing millions accumulated through group matches and television market share.
- UEFA Coefficient Boost: Extended knockout runs elevate a club’s official UEFA ranking, improving seeding for future European draws.
- Silverware Glory: The competition offers a realistic pathway to continental silverware for ambitious clubs competing outside the traditional elite.
Chelsea beat Real Betis to win Europa Conference League - BBC Newsround
The 2026/27 Campaign Outlook: Expanded Formats and New Contenders
With the 36-team single-league phase fully established across UEFA competitions, the 2026/27 UEFA Conference League promises higher stakes and intense competition from the opening matchday.
Key factors shaping the upcoming European campaign include:
- 36-Team Swiss Model: Clubs play six distinct opponents (three home, three away) during the league phase, creating high-profile matchups early in the calendar.
- No Drop-Down Teams: Teams eliminated from the Europa League no longer drop down mid-season, guaranteeing a clean competitive field from start to finish.
- Global Broadcast Access: Expanded television and streaming agreements across international markets have turned Conference League matchdays into primetime global broadcasts.
As qualification rounds wrap up for the 2026/27 season, clubs across Europe are locked in to join the exclusive roll of Conference League champions.
