UEFA’s financial distribution system rewards every stage of the tournament, from the league phase to the knockout rounds, meaning both finalists have already secured significant earnings throughout their European run.

Oliver Glasner side’s victory over Rayo Vallecano guarantees an additional payout for becoming champions, as well as a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League. There was a lot at stake and they delivered when it mattered most.

How much money does the 2026 UEFA Conference League winner get?

Crystal Palace, winner of the 2026 UEFA Conference League final, will receive €7 million in prize money from UEFA. Runner-up Rayo Vallecano is expected to earn €4 million for reaching the final.

UEFA distributes money for every stage of the competition, including league-phase participation bonuses, wins and draws, knockout qualification and market pool revenue. Beyond the direct prize money, the winner will also benefit from increased sponsorship value, ticket revenue and international exposure.

For clubs like Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano, the financial impact is massive. Neither side regularly competes in Europe’s richest tournaments, so this run could become one of the most profitable seasons in club history.

UEFA’s current distribution model awards clubs:

• €3.17 million for qualifying to the league phase
• €400,000 per win
• €133,000 per draw
• Additional bonuses for every knockout round reached
• €7 million to the champion
• €4 million to the runner-up

Does the UEFA Conference League winner qualify for the Europa League?

The winner of the UEFA Conference League automatically qualifies for next season’s UEFA Europa League league phase. That means Crystal Palace secured European soccer again in 2026-27 by winning tonight’s final.

This automatic qualification is one of the biggest incentives attached to the competition. For clubs outside Europe’s traditional elite, winning the Conference League can completely change the following season.

However, UEFA rules include one important exception. If the winner already qualifies for the Champions League or Europa League through domestic league position, UEFA rebalances the access list and the Europa League spot is redistributed elsewhere.

That scenario has become especially relevant for Crystal Palace in recent seasons because of UEFA ownership regulations and qualification complications involving multiple clubs under similar ownership structures.

Which was the last English club to win the UEFA Conference League?

The last English club to win the UEFA Conference League was Chelsea. The Premier League side defeated Real Betis in the 2025 final and became the most recent English winner before Crystal Palace’s appearance in the 2026 final.

Their victory continued England’s strong recent record in European competitions, with Premier League clubs regularly reaching finals across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League during the past decade.

Crystal Palace became the latest English club to win the tournament, joining Chelsea and West Ham United as Champions League Conference winners. West Ham famously lifted the trophy in 2023 after defeating Fiorentina in Prague.

Oliver Glasner’s squad reached the final after eliminating Shakhtar Donetsk and Fiorentina, while Rayo Vallecano stunned Europe with a fearless run that included knockout victories over Strasbourg and AEK Athens.

Both teams arrived in Leipzig chasing history, with neither side having previously played in a major UEFA final despite more than a century of existence. But what exactly happens depending on tonight’s result?

What happens if Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano today?

If Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano today, they will win the 2025-26 UEFA Conference League title and lift the first major European trophy in club history. It would also secure them a direct place in next season’s UEFA Europa League.

For Oliver Glasner’s side, this match represents one of the biggest nights the club has ever experienced. Crystal Palace are playing in their first-ever European final after an impressive Conference League run that included knockout victories.

There is also a major financial boost attached to winning the Conference League due to the prize money. Besides the prestige of winning a UEFA trophy, the Europa League qualification spot would guarantee additional European revenue and bigger international exposure.

What happens if Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano tie today?

If Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano are tied after 90 minutes today, the UEFA Conference League final will go to extra time. If the score remains level after the additional 30 minutes, the champion will then be decided by a penalty shootout.

Unlike league matches, a draw is not a final result in UEFA club competition finals because a winner must be crowned. That means neither team can settle for a tie at the end of regulation time in Leipzig.

Crystal Palace have produced strong attacking displays, while Rayo Vallecano built their campaign on defensive discipline and narrow knockout victories, including back-to-back 1-0 wins over Strasbourg in the semifinals.

What happens if Crystal Palace lose to Rayo Vallecano today?

If Crystal Palace lose to Rayo Vallecano today, they will finish as runners-up in the UEFA Conference League final and miss the opportunity to win the club’s first European trophy. Rayo Vallecano would instead become champions and qualify for the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League.

A defeat would still not erase the significance of Palace’s European campaign. Reaching the final already marks the best continental run in club history and represents a major milestone for the Premier League side.

How to watch Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano in the USA

Soccer fans across the United States can catch the match live on cable via CBS Sports Network and TUDN, giving the highly anticipated showdown extensive nationwide exposure.

Those preferring to stream the game online will have several viewing options as well, with coverage available through Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Paramount+, and ViX so viewers won’t miss any of the live action.

Can I watch Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano for free?

Viewers in the United States can watch the game live on Fubo and DirecTV Stream, with both platforms currently offering a 5-day free trial to eligible new users. Another streaming option is Hulu + Live TV, which includes access to the matchup and comes with a 3-day free trial for first-time subscribers.

Once the free trial expires, fans have the option to either keep the subscription active with a paid plan or cancel the service if they decide it’s not the right fit for them.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Two clubs from Europe’s top leagues chase what would be the first major international trophy in their history. Neither side enjoyed a strong domestic campaign heading into this showdown. A win, tie or loss will have different implications for Crystal Palace or Rayo Vallecano today.

Crystal Palace endured a disappointing Premier League season, finishing on 45 points and ending closer to the relegation battle than the European places, though the Eagles did manage to lift the Community Shield with a win over Liverpool earlier in the year.

Rayo’s La Liga campaign offered slightly more stability, but the Madrid-based club still missed out on European qualification by a single point and failed to produce a defining moment. Now both have one final chance to turn a frustrating season into an unforgettable one.

Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano: Predicted Lineups

Crystal Palace (3-4-3): Henderson; Riad, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Pino.

Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): Batalla; Ratiu, Mendy, Lejeune, Chavarria; Ciss, Valentin; De Frutos, Palazon, Espino; Alemao.

What time is the Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano match?

The match kicks off today, May 27, at 3:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 3:00 PM
Central Time: 2:00 PM
Mountain Time: 1:00 PM
Pacific Time: 12:00 PM

Crystal Palace will not participate in the UEFA Europa League, despite earning their spot by winning the 2024–25 FA Cup, as reported by Ben Jacobs. The setback arises from a conflict involving their owner, John Textor, who also owns Olympique Lyonnais.

Both clubs secured places in the 2025 UEFA Europa League, but UEFA rules restrict owners from having multiple teams in the same competition. Consequently, the English side will compete in the UEFA Conference League, while the French side maintains its position in the Europa League.

“The CFCB First Chamber pursued the assessment of the documentation submitted by Olympique Lyonnais and Crystal Palace and concluded that the clubs breached, as at 1 March 2025, the multi-club ownership criteria foreseen in Art 5.01 of the UEFA Club Competition Regulations,” UEFA reported.

Moreover, Nottingham Forest, who secured a spot in the UEFA Conference League, will be promoted to the UEFA Europa League. Despite this decision, Crystal Palace still have the option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The exclusion has sparked controversy, especially since just 12 months ago, Girona FC and Manchester City faced a similar situation and both ended up competing in the UEFA Champions League.

Why did Olympique Lyonnais get the UEFA Europa League spot over Crystal Palace?

Despite sharing the same ownership, Olympique Lyonnais of France’s Ligue 1 secured a spot in the UEFA Europa League over English Premier League side Crystal Palace. This decision adheres to the Multi-Club Ownership Rules, which state that the team finishing higher in its respective league claims the coveted European competition berth.

In this case, Lyon clinched sixth place in the French league, outperforming Crystal Palace’s 12th-place finish in the Premier League. The French side’s financial stability came under scrutiny, but the DNCG, France’s financial watchdog, chose not to relegate the team despite financial issues. Consequently, they retained their position and celebrated their Europa League participation.

No team had ever previously won all three of UEFA’s club tournaments, making Chelsea the first to achieve this historic treble. Before winning the 2025 Conference League, they had been Champions League winners twice (2012 and 2021) and Europa League champions twice as well (2013 and 2019).

Wednesday’s match at the Wrocław Stadium will go down in the history of Chelsea and European soccer. The Blues had fallen behind early after a goal from Abde in the 9th minute, and the outlook looked bleak, as Betis had successfully neutralized their key strengths and dictated the pace of the game.

However, the second half told a different story, showcasing the individual brilliance of Chelsea’s stars. Enzo Fernandez scored the equalizer after an assist from Cole Palmer, who later also set up a goal for Nicolas Jackson. As the match neared its conclusion and with their opponents fully committed to attack, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo extended the lead.

How many titles have Chelsea won in their history?

The UEFA Conference League is the 10th international title for Chelsea and the 37th overall in the club’s history. Outside of England, they had previously won the UEFA Champions League in 2012 and 2021, the Europa League in 2013 and 2019, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971 and 1998, the UEFA Super Cup in 1998 and 2021, and the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup.

Domestically, the Blues have won 27 titles. The most significant are their six league championships (five in the Premier League era and one earlier, in 1955). Those are followed by eight FA Cup titles, five English Football League Cups, four Community Shields, two Full Members’ Cups, and two Second Division titles.

Which teams are close to matching Chelsea’s record?

The list of clubs that have won both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League is extensive. The former has been played since the 1955-56 season, while the latter had its first edition in 1971-72, giving both tournaments over 50 years of coexistence.

Real Madrid top the list with 15 Champions League titles and two Europa League wins. Bayern Munich have claimed Europe’s top competition six times and the secondary one once; Liverpool have six Champions League trophies and three Europa Leagues. The list continues with other giants such as Inter Milan, Manchester United, Juventus, Feyenoord, Porto, and Ajax.

However, the creation of the Conference League in the 2021-22 season opened a new universe of possibilities, allowing clubs with less continental pedigree to compete in Europe. Chelsea became the fourth team to win the tournament, joining AS Roma, West Ham United, and Olympiacos.

Mudryk has been provisionally suspended by The Football Association (FA), the governing body of soccer in England, since late 2024 after testing positive for meldonium in an anti-doping control. This substance is banned for professional players because it provides an unfair advantage by enhancing oxygen utilization and accelerating energy restoration in the body.

The last match the Ukrainian winger played was on November 28 of last year, when he completed the full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 2–0 win over FC Heidenheim during the Conference League group stage. Three days later, he was on the bench in the Premier League match against Aston Villa, and he has been sidelined ever since.

This situation will remain unresolved until there is a final decision on his case. As the club awaits the results of the B sample analysis, Mykhailo could face a severe sanction—up to four years of suspension from official competitions at both the club and international level. It is important to note that Mudryk has denied any knowledge of having taken a banned substance.

Mudryk traveled to Poland to support Chelsea

Despite being sidelined for more than six months and with his future uncertain pending the outcome of the counter-analysis, Mykhailo Mudryk still traveled to Poland to support his teammates in their pursuit of Chelsea’s tenth international title.

And that’s not all. If the Blues secure a favorable result and win the 2025 UEFA Conference League, Mudryk will even be eligible to receive a medal. That’s because he played in four matches during the competition before being suspended—scoring three goals and providing three assists.

However, it’s unclear whether Chelsea agree with this scenario. In fact, during the pre-match press conference ahead of the final against Real Betis, head coach Enzo Maresca was asked about Mudryk’s presence and seemed caught off guard: “To be honest, I just… I don’t know, he is here or is coming? He is here? I don’t know. I am happy for Mischa to be here.”

How much did Chelsea pay for Mudryk?

Mykhailo Mudryk’s transfer generated major buzz in England, as it was one of the most expensive deals of all time. The London club paid £89 million (around $120 million), including add-ons, for the winger in January 2023 after he broke out with FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

However, things didn’t unfold as expected. Mudryk never reached the level of performance anticipated from such a high-priced signing. In nearly two years with the Blues, he appeared in 73 matches, scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists.

Chelsea and Real Betis will face each other today for the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League final, in which both teams are aiming to close the season with a title. However, Jadon Sancho, who has been a key figure for the Blues in the competition, will start the match on the bench.

The reason for his absence in the starting lineup is tactical, as the whole Chelsea squad was available for the match. It’s a telling choice by coach Enzo Maresca, who recently spoke about the possibility of retaining Sancho, who is on loan with the team from Manchester United.

“I don’t know,” said the Italian boss, when asked about the future of the forward. “I said that when in the last weeks you asked me about different players, I always said the same. And the reason why is because it’s the truth,” he explained.

“It’s not the moment, we have the final. Then in 24 hours, 48 hours, we’re going to start to talk about the future. But at this moment, there is not any thought or any decision made on Jadon or any different players,” he added.

In the Conference League, Sancho has scored one goal and produced five assists. He is also coming from starting in both legs of the Blues’ semi-final triumph over Djurgarden. This could potentially be his last match for the club, unless he gets a chance to impress the bosses.

Chelsea’s lineup for the UEFA Conference League final

As we said, Chelsea have all their players available, after Nicolas Jackson returned from a two-game suspension, while Christopher Nkunku is fit again after injury. So, Maresca opted for this lineup against Real Betis: Filip Jorgensen; Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke; Nicolas Jackson.

Meanwhile, Real Betis, coached by Manuel Pellegrini, are playing with: Adrian; Youssouf Sabaly, Marc Bartra, Natan, Ricardo Rodriguez; Isco, Johnny Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Cedric Bakambu, Abde Ezzalzouli.

The match started with Real Betis taking the early lead, thanks to a stunning goal from Abde Ezzalzouli in just the 8th minute. By halftime, the Spanish side maintained their advantage, controlling much of the game and keeping Chelsea’s attack at bay.

However, the second half saw a dramatic turnaround. Within a blistering five-minute stretch, Chelsea flipped the script. Goals from Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson not only leveled the score but gave the Blues the lead. From there, it was all Chelsea, as Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo added to the tally, sealing the victory and lifting the trophy in dominant fashion.

Here are the best highlights of the game!

[Watch Real Betis vs Chelsea online for FREE in the US on Fubo]

As the Conference League final kicks off, Chelsea arrive as heavy favorites after a dominant tournament run capped by a crucial win over Nottingham Forest that secured their Champions League spot—and now they’re hungry to finish their season with silverware.

Betis, though firmly cast as underdogs, have the attacking flair and defensive resilience to threaten the London side’s ambitions, setting the stage for a thrilling clash between two of Europe’s top-league contenders.

When will the Real Betis vs Chelsea match be played?

Real Betis will face Chelsea this Wednesday, May 28, in the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League final. Set to kick off at 3:00 PM (ET).

Real Betis vs Chelsea: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:00 PM
CT: 2:00 PM
MT: 1:00 PM
PT: 12:00 PM

How to watch Real Betis vs Chelsea in the USA

Get ready for this 2024-25 UEFA Conference League clash between Real Betis and Chelsea. USA fans can catch every moment live on Fubo with a free trial. Other options: CBS Sports Network, TUDN, Paramount+, DirecTV Stream, ViX.

Chelsea have found new energy under the guidance of their coach Enzo Maresca. The arrival of the Italian manager has injected fresh life into their project. Despite spending millions, the team now seems to have found a clear path forward. Cole Palmer has emerged as their most influential player. He has been a key figure in their revival and their strong UEFA Conference League performance.

Real Betis, on the other hand, have been building their sporting project for five years. Despite facing multiple financial challenges, coach Manuel Pellegrini has established a well-organized squad. The team recently eliminated the Italian side Fiorentina in the Conference League semifinals. Key players like Johnny Cardoso, Isco Alarcon, and Antony Santos have been central to their success.

With that, Pellegrini has built a highly consistent team. Betis finished in 6th place in LaLiga, which gives them a chance to qualify for European competitions. Additionally, they now have their best opportunity to win their first European title in club history. This situation stands in stark contrast to their English counterparts, who have already secured two UEFA Champions League trophies.

Chelsea’s lineup vs Real Betis

After a season marked by injuries, Chelsea head into the UEFA Conference League final with a fully available squad, as Nicolas Jackson returns from a two-game suspension and Christopher Nkunku is fit again after injury. With a healthy roster at his disposal, manager Enzo Maresca will be relying on his talented group to secure the coveted trophy.

Looking ahead to the final, this will be Chelsea’s starting eleven: Filip Jorgensen; Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke; Nicolas Jackson.

Real Betis’ starting lineup vs Chelsea

Ahead of the upcoming final game, Manuel Pellegrini will be without three key players: Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, and Hector Bellerin. With that in mind, their lineup will look like this: Adrian; Youssouf Sabaly, Marc Bartra, Natan, Ricardo Rodriguez; Isco, Johnny Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Cedric Bakambu, Abde Ezzalzouli.

Chelsea cruised through the tournament with little resistance. Their only close call came during the playoff round against Servette, where they edged out a 3–2 aggregate win. From there, the Blues went unbeaten in the group stage and conceded just four goals in six knockout-round matches, from the Round of 16 through the semifinals, while scoring 12.

Real Betis, by contrast, had a more turbulent journey. The Spanish side had to grind out results in the inaugural edition of this revamped UEFA competition, designed for clubs that fell short of Champions League and Europa League qualification. In their toughest test, Betis needed extra time to eliminate Fiorentina, scoring a dramatic equalizer in regulation before sealing the win in overtime.

What happens if Chelsea win the UEFA Conference League?

If Chelsea lift the Conference League trophy, they’ll also earn an automatic berth in next season’s Europa League. However, they’ve already locked in a spot in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League via domestic qualification. That sets up a unique scenario: Chelsea must forgo the Europa League slot, which will then be redistributed.

According to UEFA official guidelines, that vacated spot will go to the club with the highest individual coefficient among those that reached the Europa League main path or playoff rounds but haven’t yet secured direct entry into the league phase. That team must also be either a domestic cup winner or the highest-ranked club from their national association without Europa League access.

What happens if Betis win the UEFA Conference League?

A Betis win would also guarantee a Europa League berth next season. But unlike Chelsea, the Spanish club already secured Europa League qualification through their sixth-place finish in La Liga. In this case, their victory won’t trigger a reallocation, it simply reaffirms their place in the competition.

While the UEFA Conference League final won’t directly alter either club’s European path next season, it still holds enormous significance. For Chelsea, a win would etch their name in history as the first club to capture all three of UEFA’s major trophies: the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. For Betis, it’s a chance to claim their first European title and add to the club’s growing legacy.