Conference League Final Tickets

Conference League Final 2026

The 2025‑26 UEFA Conference League Final is set for 27 May 2026, to be held at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany.

As with previous editions, the winner of the final earns not only the trophy, but a place in the 2026‑27 UEFA Europa League group stage, unless they already qualify for either the Champions League or Europa League through domestic performance — in that case, UEFA’s access list gets rebalanced.

Leipzig’s RB Arena is a modern stadium with capacity, strong infrastructure, and experience hosting high level matches. It is part of UEFA’s strategy to spread finals to various nations and stadiums outside the most traditional venues. The Final will be the fifth edition of the Conference League under its current form (or renamed form).

History & Evolution: Winners, Clubs, and Nations

Because the UEFA Conference League (originally the Europa Conference League) began only in the 2021‑22 season, there isn’t a 20‑30 year history of this specific tournament, but what it does have is four completed finals before 2026, each with different winners, and many clubs using it as a platform to build European momentum.

Past Finals & Winning History

• 2022 (inaugural final): Roma beat Feyenoord 1‑0 in Tirana. This was Roma’s first Conference League title, and marked the first season of this new UEFA tertiary club competition.

• 2023: West Ham United defeated Fiorentina 2‑1 in Prague. For West Ham, this was a landmark: their first major European title since the 1960s (since the Cup Winners’ Cup).

• 2024: Olympiacos beat Fiorentina 1‑0 after extra time (via Ayoub El Kaabi in the 116th minute) in Athens. For Olympiacos and for Greek club football, this was their first European club competition trophy.

• 2025: Chelsea beat Real Betis 4‑1 in Wrocław, Poland. This was notable for several reasons: first, it was a more emphatic scoreline than in previous finals; second, it allowed Chelsea to become the first club to win all three of UEFA’s major men’s club competitions (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League) under the current structure.

So far, all winners have been different: Roma, West Ham, Olympiacos, and Chelsea. No repeat champion yet. Fiorentina has been runner‑up twice (2023 and 2024). Feyenoord and Real Betis have each been runners‑up once.

Nations & Club Performances

• Nations with winners: Italy (Roma), England (West Ham, Chelsea), Greece (Olympiacos).

• Clubs like Fiorentina have come close several times (twice runner‑up) but haven’t yet secured the trophy.

•The competition has given more clubs from less dominant European leagues or those outside the top‑tier elite a chance to win European silverware, or at least go deep. Clubs like Olympiacos, Roma, West Ham have leveraged it well. Fiorentina’s repeated finals show consistent performance, though the final hurdle has eluded them.

Records, Memorable Performances & Best Moments So Far

Although the tournament is young, there have already been remarkable matches, standout statistics, and moments that suggest its growing prestige.

Big Wins, Records, and Statistical Highlights

• Chelsea’s 8‑0 victory over Noah in the 2024‑25 league‑phase is the biggest single‑game win so far in Conference League history.

• Other large wins: Fiorentina beating LASK 7‑0, Nordsjælland defeating Ludogorets 7‑1, Cercle Brugge 6‑2 over St. Gallen. These show that in group or league phases, there can be very lopsided results when strong clubs (or clubs with better form) face weaker or less resourced ones.

• High‑scoring draws and tight knockout matches have also been memorable: for instance, PSV Eindhoven 4‑4 Copenhagen in R16 in 2021‑22; multiple ties decided in extra time; several draws at three goals or more each side in group stages.

Key Finals & Dramatic Moments

• West Ham 2‑1 Fiorentina (2023): Jarrod Bowen scored in the 89th or 90th minute, delivering a dramatic winner. For West Ham, this was their first European title in many decades.

• Olympiacos vs Fiorentina (2024): Decided in extra time by Ayoub El Kaabi’s goal in the 116th minute. Thin margins, high tension; Fiorentina was again in the final, but suffered heartbreak.

• Chelsea vs Real Betis (2025): Real Betis were up 1‑0 at half‑time; Chelsea turned it around emphatically in the second half, scoring 4 without reply. The margin (3 goals) was the largest in a Conference League final to date, and the match had plenty of action, plus it was the highest scoring final so far. The “clean sweep” status for Chelsea (winning all UEFA’s club trophies) boosted the narrative.

What Makes the Conference League Unique & Important So Far

Though it’s early in its lifespan compared to the Champions League or even the Europa League, the Conference League has already developed certain distinctive characteristics and importance:

1. Opportunity & exposure: It gives clubs who might not qualify for the higher tiers, or who might exit early from them, a realistic chance of winning European silverware. For fans and clubs, that means more meaningful matches, more continental exposure, and greater competitive balance.

2. Unpredictability: Because it has many clubs from different leagues, including some with less European pedigree, upsets are more common. The winners have each been from varied backgrounds. No single club has dominated; no legacy of repeated finals (aside from Fiorentina’s near‑misses), which keeps things fresh.

3. Platform for players & managers: Big performances in this tournament can boost reputations. For example, decisive goals in finals or knockout matches (Bowen, El Kaabi, etc.). Clubs use it as a stepping stone in European strategy.

4. Statistical richness: Even group‑phase games have had thrillers, big victories, scoring records. Matches don’t always follow expectations; some clubs dominate, others surprise.

Projections & What to Watch in the Conference League Final and Beyond

Given what’s happened so far, here are some things to watch for in the 2026 final, and how the past might influence what we see:

• Which clubs will make the final: Given the past winners and runners‑up, likely contenders are clubs with European experience, stable squads, and momentum. It’s possible Fiorentina might return (they’ve been in two finals already). Other clubs who often perform well in European competition (even in higher tournaments) might see this as a chance.

• Margin vs tight match: The last final (2025) was relatively emphatic; others have been tight, often decided very late or in extra time. The 2026 final could go either way — a tight battle or something more open if one club is significantly better or peaks at the right moment.

• Importance of knockout mentality: Clubs that have shown resilience in past finals (or in knockout rounds) will have an edge. Managing nerves, set pieces, substitutions, fitness at end of season will matter.

• Venue effects: Red Bull Arena in Leipzig will be a big stage. Crowd, travel, familiarity (or lack thereof) might affect performances.

• Growing prestige: As more teams compete and more finals are played, the Conference League’s trophy becomes more sought after. Clubs may invest more, take it more seriously, and the level of play may continue rising. Past finals show that the standard is already high.

Potential Limitations & Context from Longer European History

Since the competition is only ~5 seasons old by 2026, comparing it to tournaments with decades of history (Champions League, Europa League, former UEFA Cup, etc.) must be done with care. Many clubs in the Conference League often also compete in their domestic cups, higher European tournaments, etc., affecting depth and priorities.

Also, many clubs use Conference League matches to give younger or fringe players experience. That influences performances. But after a few years, the competitive gap is narrowing as clubs take it more seriously.