Arsenal’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final first leg has had massive implications—not just for their own European campaign, but for the Premier League as a whole. The result ensures that England will have at least five teams in the 2025-26 Champions League.
Under UEFA’s coefficient system, countries with the best collective performances across all three European competitions—Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League—are rewarded with two additional spots in the expanded Champions League format. With Arsenal’s latest win, England have now sealed one of those coveted bonus berths.
Clubs earn two points per win and one per draw, with the total points divided by the number of teams from each league participating in Europe. Thanks to consistent performances across English sides in Europe this season, the Premier League has reached the necessary coefficient threshold to lock in the extra spot.
The scenario opens up the possibility of up to seven Premier League clubs participating in the 2025-26 Champions League. This could happen if Aston Villa go all the way in the current Champions League without finishing in the domestic top five, and if Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur lift the Europa League trophy.
While Italy currently leads the battle for the second extra Champions League slot, Spain and Germany are trailing closely behind.
As things stand in the Premier League, Liverpool and Arsenal appear to be locked in for two of the five Champions League places. Nottingham Forest, surprisingly, have surged into third place. Meanwhile, a host of clubs including Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Brighton, and even Bournemouth remain in the hunt, separated by just 12 points, keeping the race for Europe thrillingly open.
