Chelsea will play in the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League after England’s European qualification spots were finalised following Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup final.
Manchester United’s victory over Manchester City at Wembley means the Red Devils gain access to continental football via the route provided by the domestic trophy – in turn confirming the UEFA tournament that we will participate in.
United managed to get revenge for last season’s cup final defeat to their neighbours after goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured a 2-1 win.
The newly crowned cup winners came into the Wembley showpiece knowing they had to win in order to book Europa League qualification after finishing eighth in the Premier League.
Their victory means that our sixth place finish, confirmed last week after the 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on the final day, earns qualification for the Conference League.
It will be the first time we have competed in the competition that was initially contested in the 2021/22 season.
Qualification for the Conference League marks our return to European football after a one-year absence and means next season will be our 32nd European campaign in club history.
The Blues will enter the tournament at the play-off round stage, where victory over a two-legged tie would secure a place in the league stage. The play-off round fixtures will take place on 22 and 29 August this year and we will find out our opponents on 5 August when the draw is made.
Should Chelsea go all the way and reach the final, it will be held in Poland’s Stadion Wroclaw, on 28 May 2025.