The UEFA Conference League is Europe's third club competition, below the Champions League and the Europa League. Since 2021 it has given smaller clubs and nations a real stage in Europe. The next final takes place on 2 June 2027 in Istanbul. Here is how it works, who has already won it and what its unusual trophy looks like.
How does the Conference League work?
It is played on Thursday nights, alongside the Europa League. Since the 2024/25 season a 36-team league phase has replaced the old group stage: each club plays six different opponents before the knockout rounds begin. The winner qualifies for the following Europa League season. For many entrants this is the realistic route into Europe that their league position alone does not offer.
Who is the competition for?
The Conference League was created in 2021 for exactly this: to give more clubs from more countries international matches. Sides that would have no chance in the Champions or Europa League meet opponents on their own level here. That makes the competition unpredictable, and it has quickly built stories of its own.
Who has won the Conference League?
The first winners were AS Roma in 2022 under José Mourinho. In 2025 Chelsea beat Real Betis 4-1, and in 2026 Crystal Palace took the title in the Leipzig final. The list of winners is still short, which is exactly what makes each new name on it stand out.
When is the Conference League final 2027?
The 2026/27 final takes place on 2 June 2027 at the Beşiktaş Stadium in Istanbul. Before that, the league phase and knockout rounds run across the season up to the semi-finals in spring. The winner earns a place in the next Europa League season.
The trophy: modern and unmistakable
The Conference League trophy stands out at once. It is built from 32 hexagonal spines that twist upwards in a spiral, originally one for each club in the old group stage. It was designed by the London studio Pentagram, stands 57.5 centimetres tall and weighs 11 kilograms. The base and top are brushed brass, the spines a glossy silver. If you want this distinctive piece as an officially licensed Conference League replica for your shelf, you will find the range at Am Ball.
