Guide to the 2025/26 Conference League: Teams, Predictions, and Where to Watch Europe’s Most Alternative Competition!

Different teams from countries outside of Europe’s most traditional clubs — that’s how the 5th edition of the Conference League is shaped. In the 2025/26 season, the continent’s third-tier competition brings together 36 teams in search of the trophy and a direct spot in the Europa League. For fans of the world’s most popular sport, it’s also a chance to place sports bets.

The 2025/26 Conference League begins on October 2. Before the tournament starts, it’s worth checking out the details of the participants and getting familiar with all the information. That way, you’ll be ready to place bets with valuable insights about the teams. Check out Blaze’s complete guide for the tournament!

About the 2025/26 Conference League

Just like its older sisters, the Champions League and Europa League, the Conference League also adopted a league stage format with a round-robin system in the first phase. All 36 teams are grouped together in a single table, but each plays eight matches — four at home and four away.

The top eight teams go straight to the Round of 16, while those finishing from 9th to 24th place must play the playoffs to advance. Teams ranked 25th and below are eliminated early.

The grand final of the 2025/26 Conference League is set for Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The decisive match will take place at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany.

Aberdeen

Runner-up in the 2024/25 Scottish season, Aberdeen initially qualified directly for the Europa League playoff round but was knocked out by FCSB. As a result, they entered the league stage of the 2025/26 Conference League.

Manager

Jimmy Thelin

Best Finish

Group Stage (2023/24)

Expectations

It won’t be easy for Aberdeen, but the Scottish side has a fair chance of reaching at least the Round of 16 playoffs. Winning the Conference League looks much harder, with odds at 150.0.

AEK Athens

AEK Athens carved out their path to the Conference League. After finishing 4th in the Greek league, they entered the second qualifying round of the competition. They eliminated Hapoel Be’er Sheva, then Aris Limassol, and finally knocked out Anderlecht in the playoffs.

Manager

Marko Nikolić

Best Finish

Third Qualifying Round (2024/25)

Expectations

AEK Athens is far from being a title contender, with odds of 21.0 to lift the trophy and win a second Conference League for Greece. The team is more likely to focus on direct qualification to the Round of 16.

AEK Larnaca

By winning the Cypriot Cup, AEK Larnaca secured a spot in the Europa League qualifiers. Starting in the first round, they made it all the way to the playoffs, beating Partizan, Celje, and Legia Warsaw, but fell to Norway’s Brann, thus dropping into the Conference League league stage.

Manager

Imanol Idiakez

Best Finish

Round of 16 (2022/23)

Expectations

AEK Larnaca could repeat their past success by reaching the Round of 16 — or maybe even surpass it. With odds of 80.0 to win the tournament, they are not among the favorites, but a playoff spot is well within reach.

AZ

AZ finished 5th in the 2024/25 Eredivisie. Starting from the second qualifying round of the Conference League, they overcame Ilves of Finland after losing the first leg 4-3 and thrashing them 5-0 in the return. Vaduz (Liechtenstein) and Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) were also eliminated along the way.

Manager

Maarten Martens

Best Finish

Semifinal (2022/23)

Expectations

AZ ranks close to the top contenders, with 12.0 odds to win the tournament. While slightly behind the frontrunners, the Dutch side is expected to progress through the stages comfortably.

BK Häcken

Another domestic cup champion entering the Europa League qualifiers was Sweden’s BK Häcken. Starting from the first qualifying round, they beat Spartak Trnava (Slovakia) and Anderlecht (Belgium) before losing in the third round to Brann. In the Conference League playoff, they crushed Cluj 7-2 in the first leg, and a 1-0 loss in the return didn’t affect their qualification.

Manager

Jens Gustafsson

Best Finish

Playoffs (2024/25)

Expectations

BK Häcken has already achieved their best-ever result by reaching the league stage. This season, with title odds at 70.0, they could go even further by qualifying for the knockout rounds.

Breiðablik

Icelandic champions Breiðablik began their European journey in the Champions League first qualifying round, beating Egnatia of Albania. However, they were later crushed by Lech Poznań, losing 7-1 in the first leg and 1-0 in the second. Dropping into the Europa League third qualifying round, they were eliminated right away by Zrinjski Mostar of Bosnia. Finally, in the Conference League playoffs, they beat Virtus of San Marino twice to reach the league stage.

Manager

Halldor Arnason

Best Finish

Group Stage (2023/24)

Expectations

Sadly for their fans, Breiðablik is among the least favored for the title, with odds of 200.0. An early elimination looks highly likely.

Celje

Celje were the big winners of the Slovenian Cup last season. That trophy granted them a place in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. The team edged out Azerbaijan’s Sabah in a tight 6-5 aggregate, sealed in extra time.

AEK Larnaca then knocked them out, sending them down to the Conference League. In this tournament’s third qualifying round, they eliminated Swiss side Lugano and later Czech club Baník Ostrava in the playoffs.

Manager

Albert Riera

Best Finish

Quarterfinals (2024/25)

Expectations

Celje have no problem reaching the knockout stage and should do so once again this season. They may need to go through the playoffs, but that shouldn’t be an obstacle. Their title odds stand at 100.0.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace’s story in the Conference League is a bit more unusual than that of other participants. Not because they played through different qualifying phases, but because they were supposed to be in the Europa League, having won the FA Cup.

However, since they are owned by the same group as Lyon, both teams could not compete in the same tournament. As a result, Palace switched places with Nottingham Forest, who moved to the Europa League, while Crystal Palace entered the Conference League playoffs.

A narrow 1-0 win in the first leg and a goalless draw in the return against Norway’s Fredrikstad finally secured them a place in a continental tournament.

Manager

Oliver Glasner

Best Finish

Debut

Expectations

As a team that should be in a higher competition, Crystal Palace are undeniably the favorites to win the Conference League, with odds of 6.0 — better than any other side.

Drita

Another club chasing continental action since the Champions League qualifiers is Kosovo’s Drita. As national champions, they entered the first and second qualifying rounds of the premier tournament, beating Differdange 03 (Luxembourg) but losing to Copenhagen.

They dropped into the Europa League’s third qualifying round, where they were defeated by FCSB. That sent them into the Conference League playoffs, where they once again faced Differdange 03 — and eliminated them again.

Manager

Zekirija Ramadani

Best Finish

Playoffs (2024/25)

Expectations

Despite their long battle to make it into a continental competition this season, the Kosovo side has among the weakest odds of lifting the trophy, at 400.0. Their farewell to the competition is likely to come during the league stage.

Dynamo Kyiv

As Ukrainian champions, Dynamo Kyiv entered the Champions League second qualifying round, beating Ħamrun Spartans, but lost in the next round to Pafos. They also fell in the Europa League playoffs, this time against Maccabi Tel Aviv, which left them in the Conference League league stage.

Manager

Oleksandr Shovkovskyi

Best Finish

Playoffs (2023/24)

Expectations

With odds of 21.0 to win the trophy, Dynamo Kyiv are a little off the top favorites, though still in the top 10. In this group, they should progress comfortably to the knockouts without needing the playoffs.

Fiorentina

As Serie A’s 6th-placed team, Fiorentina return for another Conference League campaign. Since no club enters the league stage directly, they played in the playoffs, where they beat Ukraine’s Polissya Zhytomyr twice, 6-2 on aggregate.

Manager

Stefano Pioli

Best Finish

Runners-up (twice: 2022/23 and 2023/24)

Expectations

After coming up short twice, Fiorentina must finally break the curse and win a continental trophy after six decades. The Italians are among the top title contenders, second only to Crystal Palace, with odds of 6.5.

Ħamrun Spartans

Ħamrun Spartans represent Malta in Europe this season. As league champions, they started in the Champions League first qualifying round, edging Lithuania’s Žalgiris on penalties by 11-10.

They were then eliminated by Dynamo Kyiv. In the Europa League’s third qualifying round, they lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv, dropping into the Conference League playoffs, where they beat Latvia’s RFS.

Manager

Giacomo Modica

Best Finish

Playoffs (2022/23)

Expectations

The Maltese side will have to suffer if they want to surprise their opponents. With the second-worst title odds at 500.0 — ahead only of Lincoln Red Imps — it would be a surprise if they even advanced past the league stage.

Jagiellonia Białystok

Jagiellonia Białystok are one of the teams that only played Conference League qualifiers. After finishing 3rd in the Polish league, they entered in the second round and gradually advanced.

First, they eliminated Serbia’s Novi Pazar. Then, Denmark’s Silkeborg. Finally, in the playoffs, they crushed Albania’s Dinamo City 3-0 in the first leg, and a 1-1 draw in the return sealed qualification.

Manager

Adrian Siemieniec

Best Finish

Quarterfinals (2024/25)

Expectations

Just like last season, Jagiellonia are expected to go deep again in the 2025/26 edition. The Poles are projected to finish between 9th and 24th, reaching the Round of 16 playoffs. Their title chances are slim but not impossible, at 40.0.

KuPS

As Finnish champions, Kuopion Palloseura entered the Champions League first qualifying round. A 1-0 win and a goalless draw eliminated Moldova’s Milsami Orhei, but they then lost to Kazakhstan’s Kairat.

In the Europa League third qualifying round, KuPS knocked out Latvia’s RFS but fell in the playoffs to Denmark’s Midtjylland. That loss placed them in the Conference League league stage.

Manager

Jarkko Wiss

Best Finish

Playoffs (2021/22)

Expectations

The league stage may be as far as KuPS get this season. Their chances of advancing are slim, and winning the title is nearly impossible, with odds at 250.0.

Lausanne

Lausanne entered the Conference League in the second qualifying round after finishing 5th in the 2024/25 Swiss league. They advanced past Vardar (North Macedonia), Astana (Kazakhstan), and Beşiktaş (Turkey) to reach the league stage.

Manager

Peter Zeidler

Best Finish

Debut

Expectations

Lausanne-Sport’s debut in the Conference League should show the Swiss side’s strength, with expectations of reaching at least the Round of 16 playoffs. A final appearance is much tougher, with odds at 30.0.

Lech Poznań

Polish champions Lech Poznań dropped to Europe’s third-tier competition. They started in the Champions League second qualifying round, thrashing Iceland’s Breiðablik but then losing to Red Star Belgrade. They also fell to Genk in the Europa League playoffs.

Manager

Niels Frederiksen

Best Finish

Quarterfinals (2022/23)

Expectations

The Poles have every chance of returning to the knockout stage. While not among the very top title favorites (34.0), their odds to reach the final (15.0) are more reasonable. The safest expectation is that they will match their best past runs, step by step.

Legia Warsaw

Another Polish side in the hunt is Legia Warsaw, winners of the Polish Cup. They entered the Europa League first qualifying round, eliminating Aktobe (Kazakhstan) and Baník Ostrava (Czech Republic), but fell to AEK Larnaca in the third round. In the Conference League playoffs, they edged past Hibernian (Scotland) in extra time.

Manager

Edward Iordănescu

Best Finish

Quarterfinals (2024/25)

Expectations

Another Polish representative, Legia Warsaw should reach the knockouts, even if via the playoffs. Lifting the trophy looks tougher, with odds of 29.0.

Lincoln Red Imps

Representing Gibraltar in European football is Lincoln Red Imps. They entered the Champions League first and second qualifying rounds, beating Faroe Islands’ Víkingur Gøta before losing to Red Star Belgrade.

In the Europa League qualifiers, they beat Armenia’s Noah but were then thrashed by Braga in the playoffs, losing 4-0 and 5-1. At least, they earned direct entry into the Conference League league stage.

Manager

Juan Bezares

Best Finish

Group Stage (2021/22)

Expectations

Lincoln Red Imps are the ultimate underdogs of the 2025/26 Conference League. The Gibraltar side has the longest title odds at 900.0. While not impossible, the reality points to an early elimination rather than a miracle run.

Mainz 05

Of all the Conference League teams, Mainz perhaps had the shortest path to the league phase. The German side finished 6th in the 2024/25 Bundesliga and earned a direct spot in this competition’s playoffs. In that final round, they eliminated Norway’s Rosenborg and now head into the tournament proper.

Manager

Bo Henriksen

Best finish

Debut

Expectations

Despite the short road to the Conference League, Mainz are not the outright top favorite, though they are among the most backed teams at 10.0, level with Shakhtar Donetsk and Rayo Vallecano.

Noah

Noah are the current Armenian champions. The title qualified them for the first qualifying round of the Champions League, where they eliminated Montenegro’s Budućnost Podgorica. Ferencváros prevailed in the second round, sending the team to the Europa League third qualifying round.

In a penalty shootout, Noah lost to Lincoln Red Imps and had to play the Conference League playoffs. There, they beat Olimpija Ljubljana twice to secure a spot in the league phase.

Manager

Sandro Perković

Best finish

31st place – League phase (2024/25)

Expectations

Unfortunately, Noah are likely to repeat a bottom-half finish in the main phase of the European competition. If they dare to dream, their title odds are 250.0.

Omonia

Omonia finished 3rd in the Cypriot league and entered the Conference League in the second qualifying round. Step by step, they secured a berth in the league phase, eliminating Torpedo Kutaisi (Georgia), Araz-Naxçıvan (Azerbaijan), and Wolfsberger AC (Austria), in that order.

Manager

Henning Berg

Best finish

Round of 16 playoffs (2024/25)

Expectations

The Conference League Round of 16 playoffs should await Omonia Nicosia again. That should be within reach. Winning the tournament is much tougher — their odds are 70.0.

Raków Częstochowa

Polish runners-up Raków Częstochowa reached the Conference League without playing other European preliminaries. They eliminated Slovakia’s Žilina in the second round, Israel’s Maccabi Haifa in the third, and Bulgaria’s Arda in the playoffs.

Manager

Marek Papszun

Best finish

Playoffs (2022/23)

Expectations

Raków have already surpassed their best Conference League mark by reaching the league phase. Expectations are high and the knockouts should follow. There are even odds of 15.0 to make the final, which remains quite difficult.

Rapid Vienna

Rapid Vienna claimed their Conference League berth via the Austrian Bundesliga playoffs. In the second qualifying round, they beat Montenegro’s Dečić twice. In the next round, they needed penalties against Scotland’s Dundee United, and finally eliminated Hungary’s Győri ETO.

Manager

Peter Stöger

Best finish

Quarterfinals (2024/25)

Expectations

Rapid Vienna tried to reach the final last season but fell in the quarterfinals. Now they will try again, with 12.0 title odds — or at least to better last year’s run.

Rayo Vallecano

As members of one of Europe’s top domestic leagues, Rayo Vallecano, like Mainz 05, had little trouble entering the Conference League league phase. After finishing 8th in La Liga, they went straight to the playoffs and won both legs against Belarusian side Neman Grodno, first 1–0 and then a 4–0 thrashing.

Manager

Iñigo Pérez

Best finish

Debut

Expectations

Rayo Vallecano will fight for the title, even if not as closely favored as some rivals. They are priced at 10.0, tied with Mainz 05 and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Rijeka

Rijeka entered the Conference League league phase directly — but only after playing through Champions League and Europa League qualifiers. The Croatian champions lost in extra time of the second round return leg to Ludogorets Razgrad.

In the Europa League third qualifying round, they beat Ireland’s Shelbourne. They even took a 1–0 lead in the first leg of the playoffs against PAOK, but the return was painful: a 5–0 defeat in Greece.

Manager

Víctor Sánchez

Best finish

Playoffs (2021/22 and 2023/24)

Expectations

The Croatians have long title odds at 100.0. Since they aren’t as far back as some of the bottom-tier teams, a push for a playoffs spot (places 9–24) is realistic.

Samsunspor

Turkey’s Samsunspor also went straight to the Conference League league phase. Their path was similar to Rijeka’s but without the Champions League part. Samsunspor finished 3rd domestically, entered the Europa League playoffs, and were eliminated by Panathinaikos.

Manager

Thomas Reis

Best finish

Debut

Expectations

This is Samsunspor’s first major appearance in a European tournament (not counting the old Intertoto Cup). In this Conference League edition, the Turkish side have every chance to show their strength early and advance from the league phase. A run to the final is less likely; their odds to get there are 12.0.

Shakhtar Donetsk

Ukrainian Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk fought through the Europa League from the first qualifying round. They first eliminated Finland’s Ilves, winning 6–0 in the first leg and drawing 0–0 in the return, then beat Beşiktaş. In the third qualifying round, they were knocked out on penalties by Panathinaikos, which sent them to the Conference League playoffs against Switzerland’s Servette — and they took the spot.

Manager

Arda Turan

Best finish

Debut

Expectations

Shakhtar are the third team priced at 10.0 to win the competition, alongside Rayo Vallecano and Mainz 05. Even if it may not look obvious, Shakhtar Donetsk are well within a potential top-four outlook.

Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers were Irish runners-up. Initially slated for the first qualifying round, they replaced FAI Cup winners Drogheda United because that club belongs to the same ownership group as Silkeborg. With no replacement available, Rovers were bumped up one round automatically.

In their first tie, they thrashed Gibraltar’s St Joseph’s 4–0 and drew 0–0 in the return. Then they overturned a 1–0 first-leg loss to Kosovo’s Ballkani with a 4–0 win in the second leg. Their last hurdle was Portugal’s Santa Clara: a 2–1 first-leg win and another 0–0 in the return.

Manager

Stephen Bradley

Best finish

Round of 16 playoffs (2024/25)

Expectations

It won’t be easy for Shamrock Rovers, but with the right football they can snatch a playoffs berth by finishing between 9th and 24th in the league phase. Winning it all is much tougher, at 150.0.

Shelbourne

Shelbourne were Irish champions. In the Champions League first qualifying round, they saw off neighbors Linfield of Northern Ireland, but then suffered two defeats to Qarabağ.

In the Europa League third qualifying round, they lost to Rijeka after winning the first leg 2–1 and losing the second 3–1. Shelbourne met Linfield again in the Conference League playoffs — and beat them again.

Manager

Joseph O’Brien

Best finish

Second qualifying round (2024/25)

Expectations

Unlike their Irish rivals, Shelbourne are in the underdogs’ bracket with 300.0 title odds. The realistic expectation is a modest campaign ending in the first phase.

Shkëndija

Macedonian champions Shkëndija came very close to the Champions League. Starting in the first qualifying round, they beat Wales’ The New Saints and Romania’s FCSB, but lost to Qarabağ in the third round. In the Europa League playoffs, they fell to Ludogorets Razgrad, dropping directly into the Conference League league phase.

Manager

Jeton Beqiri

Best finish

Third qualifying round (2022/23)

Expectations

Shkëndija’s title odds are level with Shelbourne’s at 300.0. The likely reality is similar for both Macedonians and Irish: elimination in the first stage.

Sigma Olomouc

A single tie brought Sigma Olomouc to their Conference League debut. As Czech Cup winners, they entered the Europa League playoffs but lost twice to Malmö. Since they were already in the final qualifying round, they moved into Europe’s third competition.

Manager

Tomas Janotka

Best finish

Debut

Expectations

Even on debut, Sigma Olomouc are expected to “arrive with a bang” and reach the knockouts — at least via the playoffs — while their chances of taking the trophy home sit at 70.0.

Slovan Bratislava

Slovan Bratislava also did not need to play any Conference League qualifiers. However, the team did go through the second and third qualifying rounds of the Champions League, eliminating Bosnia’s Zrinjski Mostar before falling to Kairat. In the Europa League playoffs, they lost their spot to Young Boys after two defeats.

Manager

Vladimir Weiss

Best Finish

Round of 16 (2022/23)

Expectations

The reality is that Slovan Bratislava has 100.0 odds to win the Conference League. Perhaps the fans would be better off hoping for a repeat of their best-ever run to the Round of 16.

Sparta Prague

A traditional Czech club, Sparta Prague finished 4th in last season’s domestic league and entered the second qualifying round of the Conference League. In three rounds, they saw off Kazakhstan’s Aktobe, Armenia’s Ararat-Armenia, and Latvia’s Riga.

Manager

Brian Priske

Best Finish

Second Qualifying Round (2022/23)

Expectations

With nearly 40 continental campaigns, Sparta Prague are still missing a run that truly stands out. That could happen this year, as the team has 12.0 odds to reach the final. While far from the main title favorites, those numbers at least suggest a solid knockout stage run.

Strasbourg

The only French team in the Conference League, Strasbourg earned their spot in the playoffs by finishing 7th in Ligue 1 in 2024/25. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, they beat Denmark’s Brøndby 3-2 in the return to secure their place.

Manager

Liam Rosenior

Best Finish

Debut

Expectations

Strasbourg have everything it takes to give France its first-ever Conference League title. The team’s odds are 8.0, ranking just behind Crystal Palace and Fiorentina among the main contenders.

Universitatea Craiova

Another club that only played Conference League qualifiers, Universitatea Craiova finished 3rd in the Romanian league. They eliminated Bosnia’s Sarajevo in the second round, Slovakia’s Spartak Trnava in the third, and Turkey’s İstanbul Başakşehir in the playoffs.

Manager

Mirel Radoi

Best Finish

Playoff Round (2022/23)

Expectations

A mid-table team — that’s what the Romanians are likely to be in this edition of the Conference League. With 50.0 odds to win the trophy, Universitatea Craiova should aim for a spot in the Round of 16 playoffs.

Zrinjski

Zrinjski Mostar, or simply Zrinjski, have been chasing European football since the first qualifying round of the Champions League, where they entered as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s champions. They began by eliminating Virtus of San Marino with two wins.

However, a 4-0 first-leg thrashing by Slovan Bratislava was only partially softened by a 2-2 draw in the return, sending them into the Europa League. There, Zrinjski eliminated Breiðablik in the third round but lost the playoffs to Utrecht, which left them in the Conference League league stage.

Manager

Igor Štimac

Best Finish

Group Stage (2023/24)

Expectations

The Bosnians are likely to be mere outsiders in the 2025/26 Conference League. With long 200.0 odds to win, they are expected to bow out during the league phase.

Best Odds for the 2025/26 Conference League

Now that you’ve met the teams, let’s take a look at the favorites for this edition of the Conference League. Here are Blaze’s best odds for the competition. Of course, it’s always worth noting that these numbers can shift depending on results and off-field issues. Keeping up with football news is also key!

Who will be the champion?

Two teams stand closest to the title: England’s Crystal Palace and Italy’s Fiorentina. The English side are the favorites at 6.0. Since they were relegated to the Conference League due to bureaucratic reasons, they are, in theory, a Europa League-level team. The Italians, meanwhile, are priced at 6.5, having come agonizingly close with back-to-back runner-up finishes.

Which country will take the trophy?

If the favorites are any indication, England are the likeliest to claim a third Conference League title. Italy, on the other hand, look strong enough to level the English total. France are the dark horse with Strasbourg, chasing the country’s first-ever Conference League win.

Where to watch the 2025/26 Conference League?

Brazilian fans will be able to watch the 2025/26 Conference League online. With rights acquired by LiveMode, the European competition will be streamed on the YouTube channel CazéTV.

Bet on the 2025/26 Conference League at Blaze

The Conference League is about to begin, and you can bet on the tournament while enjoying the goals and great moments. Before putting your money on entertainment, though, manage your bankroll wisely. Never use funds meant for other purposes, and always maintain financial responsibility.

Betting is entertainment, never an investment. Responsible Gambling must always be your partner in this activity — it helps you avoid headaches in other areas of life.

Bet on the 2025/26 Conference League here at Blaze and have fun with another exciting international competition!

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2025/26 Conference League

When does the 2025/26 Conference League start?

The 2025/26 Conference League, the tournament’s 5th edition, is set to kick off on October 2, a Thursday. The tournament runs until May 27, 2026, with the final staged at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany.

Who is the current Conference League champion?

Chelsea are the reigning Conference League champions. In the 2024/25 season, the Blues faced Real Betis in the final and won 4-1. The Spaniards struck first through Abde Ezzalzouli in the 9th minute, but Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moisés Caicedo all scored for Chelsea from the 65th minute onward.

Who is the most successful club in the Conference League?

The Conference League does not yet have a dominant champion, as it has only been contested four times. Four different teams have won it: Roma (2021/22), West Ham (2022/23), Olympiacos (2023/24), and most recently, Chelsea (2024/25).

Which country has the most Conference League titles?

England lead the way with two Conference League winners: West Ham and Chelsea. Italy and Greece each have one title. Italy also have two runners-up finishes, both from Fiorentina in 2022/23 and 2023/24.