The landscape of European club football received an exciting new dimension with the introduction of the UEFA Conference League (UECL). Launched in 2021, this third-tier competition has rapidly carved out its own niche, offering a crucial pathway for clubs across the continent to compete for continental silverware. Positioned below the prestigious UEFA Champions League and the seasoned UEFA Europa League, the Conference League was designed with inclusivity in mind, ensuring a broader representation of UEFA member associations in European competitions.
In its relatively short history, the tournament has already produced compelling narratives, dramatic finals, and unexpected champions. From the inaugural winners to the most recent victors, each season has added to the tournament's growing legacy. Notably, English clubs have quickly established a significant presence, dominating the winner's circle in the early years. This article delves into every Europa Conference League winner, shining a spotlight on their triumphs and exploring the intriguing trend of English club dominance in this fresh and exciting competition.
The Rise of the UEFA Conference League: A New Era of European Football Glory
Conceived from a desire to democratize European club football, the UEFA Conference League officially kicked off its inaugural season in 2021/22. The idea for a third-tier competition had been in the works for some time, initially even bearing the working title of "UEFA Europa League 2." Approved by the UEFA Executive Committee in December 2018 and officially named the UEFA Europa Conference League in September 2019, its primary objective was clear: to provide more clubs, especially those from lower-ranked associations, with the opportunity to experience European competition.
This initiative expanded the reach of UEFA's club competitions, guaranteeing that a minimum of 34 member associations would be represented in the group stages across all three tournaments. The winner of the Europa Conference League earns a coveted spot in the following season's UEFA Europa League league phase, unless they manage to qualify for the Champions League through their domestic league position – a testament to the competition's rising stakes and its role as a springboard for success. To gain a deeper understanding of its place in the European hierarchy, explore What is the UEFA Conference League? European Football's Third Tier.
From its inception through the 2023/24 season, the format featured qualifying rounds, a group stage with 32 teams, followed by traditional knockout rounds culminating in a single-leg final. However, in a move to align with the evolving structures of the Champions League and Europa League, the competition underwent a significant rebranding and format overhaul for the 2024/25 season. It was simply renamed the UEFA Conference League, and the traditional group stage was replaced by an expanded 36-team league phase, promising even more intrigue and competitive matchups.
A Roll Call of Champions: Every Europa Conference League Winner
In its initial four seasons, the Europa Conference League has crowned four distinct champions, each etching their name into the history books with memorable campaigns and thrilling finals. These victories not only represent significant silverware but also often mark historic moments for the winning clubs and their respective nations.
2021/22 Season: AS Roma (Italy)
The inaugural final of the UEFA Europa Conference League pitted Italian giants AS Roma against Dutch contenders Feyenoord. Held in Tirana, Albania, on May 25, 2022, the match was a tense affair. Under the guidance of legendary manager José Mourinho, Roma secured a historic 1-0 victory thanks to a first-half goal from Nicolo Zaniolo. This triumph marked Roma's first major European trophy in over six decades and solidified Mourinho's reputation for delivering silverware, making them the first-ever Europa Conference League winners.
2022/23 Season: West Ham United (England)
The second season saw English club West Ham United reach the final, facing Italian side Fiorentina in Prague, Czechia, on June 7, 2023. The Hammers' journey to the final was marked by resilience and an exciting attacking style. The final itself was a nail-biting encounter, with West Ham securing a dramatic 2-1 victory. Saïd Benrahma opened the scoring for West Ham from the penalty spot, only for Fiorentina to equalize quickly. However, Jarrod Bowen's injury-time winner sparked ecstatic celebrations among the loyal West Ham faithful, delivering the club's first major European trophy since 1965.
2023/24 Season: Olympiacos (Greece)
The third final saw Fiorentina make a return appearance, hoping to right the wrongs of the previous season. Their opponents were Greek powerhouse Olympiacos, with the final taking place in Athens, Greece, on May 29, 2024, providing a home advantage for the Greek side. In a tightly contested match that went into extra time, Olympiacos emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline, thanks to a goal from Ayoub El Kaabi. This monumental win marked the first time a Greek club had won a major European trophy, sending the nation into jubilant celebration.
2024/25 Season: Chelsea (England)
The most recent final saw another English club rise to the occasion. Chelsea faced Spanish side Real Betis in Wrocław, Poland, on May 28, 2025. In a dominant performance, Chelsea showcased their class, securing a resounding 4-1 victory. This win not only added another European trophy to Chelsea's illustrious cabinet but also reinforced the growing trend of English clubs excelling in this competition, further highlighting their strength and depth in European football.
Here's a quick overview of all the Europa Conference League champions to date:
- AS Roma (Italy) - 2021/22 season
- West Ham United (England) - 2022/23 season
- Olympiacos (Greece) - 2023/24 season
- Chelsea (England) - 2024/25 season
English Club Dominance: A Closer Look at Their Success
With two victories in the first four seasons (West Ham United in 2023 and Chelsea in 2025), English clubs hold the highest number of Europa Conference League titles, standing ahead of Italy and Greece, who each have one. This early dominance is not merely a coincidence but rather a reflection of several underlying factors unique to English football.
Key Reasons Behind English Success:
- Unparalleled Financial Muscle: The Premier League is arguably the wealthiest football league in the world. This immense financial power allows even mid-table or lower-tier English clubs, by Premier League standards, to possess significantly higher budgets than many top teams from other European leagues. This translates into the ability to attract high-calibre players and build deeper, more robust squads.
- Exceptional Squad Depth: Competing in multiple domestic competitions (Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup) alongside European fixtures demands considerable squad depth. English clubs are generally better equipped to rotate players without a significant drop in quality, allowing them to remain competitive on all fronts throughout a demanding season. For West Ham, their run was a testament to a strong core; for Chelsea, it showcased the power of their extensive player roster.
- High Quality of Coaching and Tactics: The Premier League attracts some of the world's most innovative and successful coaches. This competitive coaching environment fosters tactical flexibility and prepares teams for the varied challenges posed by European opposition.
- Motivation and Prestige: While the Champions League remains the pinnacle, the Europa Conference League offers a tangible and highly valued piece of European silverware, especially for clubs outside the traditional "big six." For teams like West Ham, winning the UECL was a monumental achievement, ending a long trophy drought and securing European qualification. For a club like Chelsea, it might offer a chance for redemption after a challenging domestic season and a direct route back into the Europa League, boosting their UEFA co-efficient.
- Competitive League Preparation: The sheer competitiveness of the Premier League means English teams are constantly tested against elite opposition. This rigorous domestic environment provides excellent preparation for the demands and intensity of European knockout football.
This trend suggests that English clubs, even when not challenging for the Champions League, possess structural advantages that make them formidable contenders in the Europa Conference League. As the tournament matures, it will be fascinating to see if other nations can challenge this early English ascendancy.
Navigating the Evolving Landscape: What's Next for the Europa Conference League?
The UEFA Conference League is not static; it's an evolving competition continually adapting to better serve its purpose. The most significant change came with the 2024/25 season, which saw the tournament rebranded simply to the "UEFA Conference League" and a radical shift in its format. The traditional group stage was replaced by an expanded 36-team league phase, mirroring the changes implemented in the Champions League and Europa League.
Under this new structure, no teams qualify directly for the league phase. Instead, qualification primarily comes from teams eliminated in the Europa League play-off round, along with those advancing through the Conference League qualifying and play-off rounds. Each of the 36 clubs in the league phase plays six matches against different opponents (three home, three away). The top eight teams from this league phase advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing from 9th to 24th enter knockout play-offs to earn their spot in the last 16. For a detailed breakdown of these changes, refer to UEFA Conference League: Decoding the 2024/25 Season Format.
This expanded format means more matches and more opportunities for clubs to compete on the European stage, further solidifying the tournament's commitment to inclusivity. The prize for winning remains incredibly valuable: direct entry into the following season's Europa League group stage. This incentive ensures that the competition maintains its competitive edge and allure for clubs aiming for higher European aspirations. The commitment to hosting finals in diverse European cities, such as Tirana, Prague, Athens, and Wrocław, also helps spread the excitement and economic benefits of major football events across the continent.
The Europa Conference League has swiftly cemented its place in the European football calendar. From its ambitious origins to its recent format evolution, it continues to deliver compelling football and provides a crucial platform for clubs to achieve continental glory. With a diverse set of early winners and a noticeable trend of English clubs asserting their dominance, the competition promises an exciting future.
As the tournament continues to grow and evolve, it will undoubtedly offer more memorable moments, dramatic finishes, and opportunities for clubs to write their names into European football history. The Europa Conference League is more than just a third-tier competition; it's a testament to the enduring dream of European success, accessible to a wider array of clubs and fans across the continent.