Back in 2015, UEFA began sketching out a new vision for European football — a third-tier competition that would sit beneath the Champions League and Europa League. Provisionally named “Europa League 2”, the concept aimed to extend the European adventure to clubs from lower-ranked nations. On the surface, the goal seemed obvious: give these teams more time in Europe, more exposure, and more money.
Fast forward to 2019, and the dream became reality. The competition was officially launched as the UEFA Europa Conference League. Or, more simply, the Conference League. Sixteen more clubs would now get the chance to compete in Europe each year. And now, with four editions behind us, it’s safe to say: this tournament didn’t just meet expectations — it blew them away, even tho many football experts predicted absolutely otherwise.
A radical shift in the football landscape
When the Conference League kicked off in 2021, the reactions were… mixed. Critics saw it as unnecessary. Some labeled it a cynical cash grab. Others feared it would sideline smaller nations further by reducing their chances in the Champions League.
But a short glance at the numbers tells a very different story. To see the impact, just look at how many nations have reached the group stages of European competitions before and after the introduction of the Conference League.
On average, eight more countries now play European football through December compared to the seasons before the tournament was created. That’s a seismic shift — and it goes beyond the top leagues.
Europe, reimagined
Nations that had never graced a European group stage before suddenly found themselves in the spotlight. In just four seasons, the likes of Lithuania, Wales, Northern Ireland, Estonia, Armenia, Gibraltar, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Bosnia, and even the Faroe Islands made their European debuts. That’s history — and not just on paper.
Sure, these clubs aren’t facing off with Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. But they’re still playing competitive, respectable European football. And for many of them, that’s a massive leap forward.
Teams from Poland, Slovenia, Bosnia — they now have real chances to take on strong opponents nearly every year, not once in a decade.
Some real success stories
Just look at Lech Poznań. In 2023, the Polish side reached the Conference League quarterfinals — the first time in over 25 years a Polish club went that far in Europe.
Slovan Bratislava from Slovakia made the Conference League knockouts two seasons in a row. This year, they tried their luck in the Champions League group stage but were hammered, showing the stark difference in tiers.
Teams from Ireland, Iceland, Bosnia, and Slovenia all reached the knockouts this season — with Celje from Slovenia even making it to the quarterfinals.
Cyprus? Three clubs in the knockouts. Two of them, Pafos and Omonia, faced off in a head-to-head playoff.
And then there’s Olympiacos. The Greek side won the entire Conference League last season — the first non-top-six-league team to win European silverware since 2009.
A platform for middle-tier growth
Before the Conference League, it was rare to see multiple teams from middle-tier leagues competing in Europe beyond qualifiers. Now? That’s changing rapidly.
This season alone saw:
- 2 teams from Slovenia,
- 4 from the Czech Republic,
- 3 each from Sweden and Switzerland.
And they weren’t just there to make up the numbers. They competed in the group stages and beyond.
This increase in games is more than just good viewing — it’s reshaping perceptions. Clubs, fans, and analysts now get to genuinely assess the strength of these leagues based on more than just a one-off qualifying upset.
Transfer market impact
This consistency also trickles down into the transfer market. Take Darko Churlinov, for example. The Burnley player attracted interest from Jagiellonia Białystok in Poland — but only agreed to the loan move once European group stage participation was guaranteed.
That’s the new power of the Conference League.
The coefficient shuffle
More matches mean more coefficient points. And more coefficient points mean better rankings and more European slots.
Poland is a case in point. Thanks to recent performances, it’s cracked the top 15 in UEFA’s rankings for the first time since 1980. That 15th place matters — it unlocks two Champions League qualifying slots and five total European places for Polish clubs.
That’s transformational.
A financial lifeline — and a fan magnet
We all expected UEFA to benefit financially — but the clubs have, too. Even at this third tier, prize money matters.
A group stage spot guarantees €3 million — a lifeline for smaller clubs.
And it’s not just money. It’s fans, too.
Look at Olimpija Ljubljana from Slovenia. Their domestic matches draw just over 2,000 fans on average. But in the Conference League? Nearly 6,000 per game. Their knockout clash with Borac Banja Luka drew 12,000.
Or Celje — average league attendance: 1,500. Conference League attendance? Over 3,500.
This is more than novelty. It’s a clear sign that fans care deeply about these European nights — even if it’s “just” the third-tier competition.
Even the Europa League benefits
Strangely enough, the Conference League has helped rejuvenate the Europa League, too. With mid-tier teams now focused on the Conference League, the Europa League is increasingly a battleground for elite clubs from top leagues.
Gone are the days when teams rotated heavily and treated the early rounds like preseason friendlies. Now, even the big guns take it seriously.
Before the Conference League, top sides often mailed it in:
- Marseille exited the 2018–19 group stage with just one point, mere months after reaching the final.
- Bordeaux and Leipzig stumbled at the same stage.
- Lazio and Stade Rennais were beaten by Celtic and Cluj the following season.
The Conference League shifted the dynamic. It gave top-tier clubs more to play for in the Europa League — and helped the entire European football pyramid become more competitive.
The verdict: It just works
The Conference League wasn’t just a good idea. It was the right idea — and maybe even an essential one.
- Big leagues benefit from a sharper, more focused Europa League.
- Middle-tier leagues finally have a real chance to shine on the continental stage.
- Smaller nations get the exposure and funding they’ve craved for decades.
- And UEFA? They’re counting the cash and watching their ecosystem thrive.
The critics were wrong. The Conference League isn’t a diluted sideshow. It’s a tournament with meaning — for everyone.
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