What happens if Chelsea or Betis win the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League?

For the first time, Chelsea and Real Betis will meet in a European final, with the 2024–25 UEFA Conference League trophy on the line. Though both clubs have competed in UEFA tournaments before, this marks their debut appearance in a Conference League final. But there’s more at stake than just silverware and prize money, winning this title could influence each team’s European future.

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.

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What happens if Chelsea and Betis tie in the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League final today?

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.