Crystal Palace have the chance to win their first European trophy when they face Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League final. The match takes place at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, on Wednesday, May 27, and marks the final game for manager Oliver Glasner before his departure.
What a Victory Means for Palace
If Crystal Palace win the Conference League, they will automatically qualify for the league phase of next season's UEFA Europa League. This is a remarkable achievement for a side that finished 15th in the Premier League after a difficult domestic campaign.
No Additional Spot for Other Premier League Teams
Despite Palace's potential success, their victory will not grant an extra European qualification spot to any other English club. The Europa League berth is a bonus awarded solely to the tournament winner, meaning teams lower in the league standings cannot inherit a European place.
Had Palace finished higher in the table and already secured a European spot through the league, England would still not gain an extra team in continental competition. However, because of their low 15th-place finish, a victory would mean a record-breaking nine English clubs compete across Europe next season.
Other English Clubs' European Qualifications
Premier League champions Arsenal, along with Manchester City and Manchester United, have secured their places in next season's Champions League. Arsenal ended a 22-year title drought, while City and United finished second and third respectively.
Aston Villa and Liverpool claimed the final two Champions League berths by finishing fourth and fifth. Villa's qualification is backed by their Europa League triumph, while Liverpool secured their spot on the final day of the season.
In the Europa League, AFC Bournemouth qualified with a historic sixth-place finish, and newly-promoted Sunderland took seventh place. Brighton & Hove Albion claimed the final automatic league qualification route by finishing eighth, earning a spot in the Conference League play-off round.
The Conference League final is available to watch on HBO Max. Crystal Palace aim to add European silverware to their historic FA Cup triumph from last season.
