Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|Annual association football competition in Europe}} {{Redirect-distinguish|Europa League|Euro league (disambiguation){{!}}Euro league|European league (disambiguation){{!}}European league|UEFA Nations League|UEFA Europa Conference League|UEFA league (disambiguation){{!}}UEFA leagues}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox football tournament | name = UEFA Europa League | logo = UEFA Europa League (football competition) logo.svg | imagesize = 155px | organiser = [[UEFA]] | founded = {{Start date and age|1971}}<br>(rebranded in 2009) | region = [[Europe]] | number of teams = 40 (main phase total){{efn|Eight teams, transferred from the UEFA Champions League, join after the group stage.}}<br>32 (group stage)<br>58 (total) | qualifier for = [[UEFA Super Cup]]<br>[[UEFA Champions League]] | related comps = {{nowrap|[[UEFA Champions League]] (1st tier)}}<br>{{nowrap|[[UEFA Europa Conference League]] (3rd tier)}} | current champions = {{nowrap|{{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] (7th title)}} | most successful club = {{nowrap|{{fbaicon|ESP}} Sevilla (7 titles)}} | broadcasters = [[List of UEFA Europa League broadcasters|List of broadcasters]] | website = {{official URL}} | current = [[2023–24 UEFA Europa League]] }} The '''UEFA Europa League''' (abbreviated as '''UEL''', or sometimes, '''UEFA EL''') is an annual [[association football|football]] club competition organised since 1971 by the [[UEFA|Union of European Football Associations]] (UEFA) for eligible European football clubs. It is the second-tier competition of [[UEFA competitions|European club football]], ranking below the [[UEFA Champions League]] and above the [[UEFA Europa Conference League]]. Introduced in 1971 as the '''UEFA Cup''', it replaced the [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]]. The UEFA Cup was the third-tier competition from 1971 to 1999 before the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]] was discontinued,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/feb/14/europa-league-is-back-more-than-ever-competition-to-savour-round-of-32-arsenal|title=The Europa League is back and more than ever is a competition to savour|first=Sachin|last=Nakrani|date=14 February 2018|website=theguardian.com|access-date=16 August 2018|archive-date=29 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129004712/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/feb/14/europa-league-is-back-more-than-ever-competition-to-savour-round-of-32-arsenal|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|date=3 December 2020|title=UEFA Europa Conference League: all you need to know|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaconferenceleague/news/0264-10fe90612aa3-37b2bc77f89e-1000--uefa-europa-conference-league-all-you-need-to-know/|access-date=22 February 2021|website=UEFA.com|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|archive-date=19 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819062548/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaconferenceleague/news/0264-10fe90612aa3-37b2bc77f89e-1000--uefa-europa-conference-league-all-you-need-to-know/|url-status=live}}</ref> and it is still often referred to as the "C3" in reference to this.{{According to whom|date=June 2023}} Clubs qualify for the competition based on their performance in their national leagues and cup competitions. In [[1999 in association football|1999]], the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was merged with the UEFA Cup and discontinued as a separate competition.<ref>{{cite press release|title=UEFA Europa League History|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/index.html|website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|access-date=27 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216001242/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/index.html|archive-date=16 February 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> From the [[2004–05 UEFA Cup|2004–05 season]] a group stage was added before the knockout phase. The competition took on its current name in [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League|2009]],<ref name="bbc_europa">{{cite news|title=UEFA Cup gets new name in revamp|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7637600.stm|publisher=BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation)|date=26 September 2008|access-date=26 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927173643/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7637600.stm|archive-date=27 September 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="uefa_europa">{{cite press release|date=26 September 2008|title=UEFA Cup to become UEFA Europa League|website=UEFA.com|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/administration/marketing/news/01d1-0f8ef23c90b9-fdc5b01d5c6f-1000--uefa-cup-to-become-uefa-europa-league/?referrer=%2finsideuefa%2fabout-uefa%2fadministration%2fmarketing%2fnews%2fnewsid%3d754085|access-date=30 July 2020|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812210527/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/administration/marketing/news/01d1-0f8ef23c90b9-fdc5b01d5c6f-1000--uefa-cup-to-become-uefa-europa-league/?referrer=%2finsideuefa%2fabout-uefa%2fadministration%2fmarketing%2fnews%2fnewsid%3d754085|url-status=live}}</ref> following a change in format.<ref>{{cite press release|title=New format provides fresh impetus|website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124231856/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/|access-date=15 May 2010|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/|archive-date=24 November 2011}}</ref> The 2009 re-branding included a merge with the [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]], producing an enlarged competition format, with an expanded group stage and a change in qualifying criteria. The winner of the UEFA Europa League qualifies for the [[UEFA Super Cup]] and, since the 2014–15 season, for the following season's [[UEFA Champions League]], entering at the group stage, as well as for the [[UEFA–CONMEBOL Club Challenge]] since 2023. Spanish clubs have the highest number of victories (13 wins), followed by teams from England and Italy (10 wins each). The title has been won by 29 clubs, 14 of which have won it more than once. The [[List of UEFA Cup and Europa League finals#By club|most successful club]] in the competition is [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]], with seven titles. Colombian striker [[Radamel Falcao]] holds the record of [[UEFA Cup and Europa League records and statistics#Most goals in a single season|most goals]] (17) scored in a single season of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0252-0cda386ff5c5-9baca13a1b43-1000--uefa-europa-league-all-time-top-scorers/|title=UEFA Europa League all-time top scorers|date=14 July 2023 }}</ref> ==History== {| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:left; margin-top:15px; font-size:85%" |+ Winners<br />UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League |- ! # ! Season !style="width:210px"| Winner |- !colspan="3"|UEFA Cup |- |1 |style="text-align:center"| [[1971–72 UEFA Cup|1971–72]] | {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] |- |2 |style="text-align:center"| [[1972–73 UEFA Cup|1972–73]] | {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] |- |3 |style="text-align:center"| [[1973–74 UEFA Cup|1973–74]] | {{fbaicon|NED}} [[Feyenoord]] |- |4 |style="text-align:center"| [[1974–75 UEFA Cup|1974–75]] | {{fbaicon|GER}} [[Borussia Mönchengladbach]] |- |5 |style="text-align:center"| [[1975–76 UEFA Cup|1975–76]] | {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |6 |style="text-align:center"| [[1976–77 UEFA Cup|1976–77]] | {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] |- |7 |style="text-align:center"| [[1977–78 UEFA Cup|1977–78]] | {{fbaicon|NED}} [[PSV Eindhoven]] |- |8 |style="text-align:center"| [[1978–79 UEFA Cup|1978–79]] | {{fbaicon|GER}} [[Borussia Mönchengladbach]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |9 |style="text-align:center"| [[1979–80 UEFA Cup|1979–80]] | {{fbaicon|GER}} [[Eintracht Frankfurt]] |- |10 |style="text-align:center"| [[1980–81 UEFA Cup|1980–81]] | {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] |- |11 |style="text-align:center"| [[1981–82 UEFA Cup|1981–82]] | {{fbaicon|SWE}} [[IFK Göteborg]] |- |12 |style="text-align:center"| [[1982–83 UEFA Cup|1982–83]] | {{fbaicon|BEL}} [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]] |- |13 |style="text-align:center"| [[1983–84 UEFA Cup|1983–84]] | {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |14 |style="text-align:center"| [[1984–85 UEFA Cup|1984–85]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] |- |15 |style="text-align:center"| [[1985–86 UEFA Cup|1985–86]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |16 |style="text-align:center"| [[1986–87 UEFA Cup|1986–87]] | {{fbaicon|SWE}} [[IFK Göteborg]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |17 |style="text-align:center"| [[1987–88 UEFA Cup|1987–88]] | {{fbaicon|GER}} [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]] |- |18 |style="text-align:center"| [[1988–89 UEFA Cup|1988–89]] | {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[SSC Napoli|Napoli]] |- |19 |style="text-align:center"| [[1989–90 UEFA Cup|1989–90]] | {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[Juventus FC|Juventus]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |20 |style="text-align:center"| [[1990–91 UEFA Cup|1990–91]] | {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[Inter Milan]] |- |21 |style="text-align:center"| [[1991–92 UEFA Cup|1991–92]] | {{fbaicon|NED}} [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] |- |22 |style="text-align:center"| [[1992–93 UEFA Cup|1992–93]] | {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[Juventus FC|Juventus]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}} |- |23 |style="text-align:center"| [[1993–94 UEFA Cup|1993–94]] | {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[Inter Milan]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |24 |style="text-align:center"| [[1994–95 UEFA Cup|1994–95]] | {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[Parma Calcio 1913|Parma]] |- |25 |style="text-align:center"| [[1995–96 UEFA Cup|1995–96]] | {{fbaicon|GER}} [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] |- |26 |style="text-align:center"| [[1996–97 UEFA Cup|1996–97]] | {{fbaicon|GER}} [[FC Schalke 04|Schalke 04]] |- |27 |style="text-align:center"| [[1997–98 UEFA Cup|1997–98]] | {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[Inter Milan]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}} |- |28 |style="text-align:center"| [[1998–99 UEFA Cup|1998–99]] | {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[Parma Calcio 1913|Parma]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |29 |style="text-align:center"| [[1999–2000 UEFA Cup|1999–2000]] | {{fbaicon|TUR}} [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]] |- |30 |style="text-align:center"| [[2000–01 UEFA Cup|2000–01]] | {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}} |- |31 |style="text-align:center"| [[2001–02 UEFA Cup|2001–02]] | {{fbaicon|NED}} [[Feyenoord]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |32 |style="text-align:center"| [[2002–03 UEFA Cup|2002–03]] | {{fbaicon|POR}} [[FC Porto|Porto]] |- |33 |style="text-align:center"| [[2003–04 UEFA Cup|2003–04]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Valencia CF|Valencia]] |- |34 |style="text-align:center"| [[2004–05 UEFA Cup|2004–05]] | {{fbaicon|RUS}} [[PFC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] |- |35 |style="text-align:center"| [[2005–06 UEFA Cup|2005–06]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] |- |36 |style="text-align:center"| [[2006–07 UEFA Cup|2006–07]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |37 |style="text-align:center"| [[2007–08 UEFA Cup|2007–08]] | {{fbaicon|RUS}} [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit Saint Petersburg]] |- |38 |style="text-align:center"| [[2008–09 UEFA Cup|2008–09]] | {{fbaicon|UKR}} [[FC Shakhtar Donetsk|Shakhtar Donetsk]] |- ! # !colspan="3"|UEFA Europa League |- |39 |style="text-align:center"| [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League|2009–10]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Atlético Madrid]] |- |40 |style="text-align:center"| [[2010–11 UEFA Europa League|2010–11]] | {{fbaicon|POR}} [[FC Porto|Porto]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |41 |style="text-align:center"| [[2011–12 UEFA Europa League|2011–12]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Atlético Madrid]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |42 |style="text-align:center"| [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League|2012–13]] | {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] |- |43 |style="text-align:center"| [[2013–14 UEFA Europa League|2013–14]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}} |- |44 |style="text-align:center"| [[2014–15 UEFA Europa League|2014–15]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]]&nbsp;{{small|(4)}} |- |45 |style="text-align:center"| [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League|2015–16]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]]&nbsp;{{small|(5)}} |- |46 |style="text-align:center"| [[2016–17 UEFA Europa League|2016–17]] | {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] |- |47 |style="text-align:center"| [[2017–18 UEFA Europa League|2017–18]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Atlético Madrid]]&nbsp;{{small|(3)}} |- |48 |style="text-align:center"| [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League|2018–19]] | {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |49 |style="text-align:center"| [[2019–20 UEFA Europa League|2019–20]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]]&nbsp;{{small|(6)}} |- |50 |style="text-align:center"| [[2020–21 UEFA Europa League|2020–21]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] |- |51 |style="text-align:center"| [[2021–22 UEFA Europa League|2021–22]] | {{fbaicon|GER}} [[Eintracht Frankfurt]]&nbsp;{{small|(2)}} |- |52 |style="text-align:center"| [[2022–23 UEFA Europa League|2022–23]] | {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]]&nbsp;{{small|(7)}} |} The UEFA Cup was preceded by the [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]], which was a European [[Association football|football]] competition played between 1955 and 1971. The competition grew from 11 teams during the first edition ([[1955–58 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|1955–58]]) to 64 teams by the last edition which was played in [[1970–71 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|1970–71]]. It was replaced by the UEFA Cup, a new seasonal confederation competition which has a different regulation, format and disciplinary committee.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/01d9-0f842685651a-f24cacace181-1000/uefadirect_86_06.2009_.pdf|title=Origins of the UEFA Cup|magazine=UEFA direct|issue=85|publisher=Union des Associations Européennes de Football|location=Nyon|date=May 2009|pages=10–11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731160812/https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/01d9-0f842685651a-f24cacace181-1000/uefadirect_86_06.2009_.pdf|archive-date=31 July 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The UEFA Cup was first played in the 1971–72 season, and ended with an all-English final between [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] and [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], with Spurs taking the first honours.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0226-0e922bd0695b-1dc2dc37eb6e-1000--martin-chivers-on-tottenham-s-1972-uefa-cup-win/|title=Martin Chivers on Tottenham's 1972 UEFA Cup win|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|date=21 October 2015|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922001516/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0226-0e922bd0695b-1dc2dc37eb6e-1000--martin-chivers-on-tottenham-s-1972-uefa-cup-win/|url-status=live}}</ref> The competition has since gained greater prestige and interest from the [[mass media]] than the Fairs Cup.<ref>{{cite book|first=André|last=Vieli|url=https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/021f-0f842a4ba426-22bf135e36bc-1000/uefa_60_years_at_the_heart_of_football.pdf|title=UEFA: 60 years at the heart of football|publisher=Union des Associations Européennes de Football|year=2014|location=Nyon|page=45|doi=10.22005/bcu.175315|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803202951/https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/021f-0f842a4ba426-22bf135e36bc-1000/uefa_60_years_at_the_heart_of_football.pdf|archive-date=3 August 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The title was retained by another English club, [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], in 1973, who defeated [[Borussia Mönchengladbach]] in the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1972/|title=Season 1972/73|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922033104/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1972/|url-status=live}}</ref> Gladbach won the competition in 1975<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1974/|title=Season 1974/75|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922014532/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1974/|url-status=live}}</ref> and 1979,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1978/|title=Season 1978/79|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=21 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921154646/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1978/|url-status=live}}</ref> and reached the final in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1979/|title=Season 1979/80|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922023049/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1979/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Feyenoord]] won the cup in 1974 after defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4–2 on aggregate (2–2 in London, 2–0 in Rotterdam).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1973/|title=Season 1973/74|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922180039/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1973/|url-status=live}}</ref> Liverpool won the competition for the second time in 1976 after defeating [[Club Brugge KV|Club Brugge]] in the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1975/|title=Season 1975/76|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=28 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028160010/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1975/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 1980s, [[IFK Göteborg]] (1982 and 1987)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1981/|title=Season 1981/82|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922221622/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1981/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1986|title=Season 1986/87|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814130246/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1986/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] (1985 and 1986)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1984|title=Season 1984/85|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922234400/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1984/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1986|title=Season 1985/86|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814130246/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1986/|url-status=live}}</ref> won the competition twice each, with [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]] reaching two consecutive finals, winning in 1983<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1982|title=Season 1982/83|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=15 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815135536/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1982/|url-status=live}}</ref> and losing to Tottenham Hotspur in 1984.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1983|title=Season 1983/84|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=16 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816204621/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1983/|url-status=live}}</ref> 1989 saw the commencement of the Italian clubs' domination, when [[Diego Maradona]]'s [[S.S.C. Napoli|Napoli]] defeated [[VfB Stuttgart]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1988|title=Season 1988/89|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=12 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812184342/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1988/|url-status=live}}</ref> The 1990s started with two all-Italian finals,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1989|title=Season 1989/90|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=19 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819022916/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1989/|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 1992, [[Torino F.C.|Torino]] lost the final to [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] on the [[away goals rule]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1991|title=Season 1991/92|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=15 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815171751/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1991/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]] won the competition for a third time in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1992|title=Season 1992/93|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923225058/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1992/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Inter Milan]] kept the cup in Italy in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1993|title=Season 1993/94|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929020555/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1993/|url-status=live}}</ref> 1995 saw a third all-Italian final, with [[Parma Calcio 1913|Parma]] proving their consistency after two consecutive Cup Winners' Cup finals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1994|title=Season 1994/95|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=6 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206152440/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1994/|url-status=live}}</ref> The only final with no Italians in the 1990s was in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1995|title=Season 1995/96|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=26 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926103142/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1995/|url-status=live}}</ref> Internazionale reached the final the following two years, losing in 1997 to [[FC Schalke 04|Schalke 04]] on penalties,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1996|title=Season 1996/97|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=19 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819025429/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1996/|url-status=live}}</ref> and winning another all-Italian final in 1998, taking home the cup for the third time in only eight years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1997|title=Season 1997/98|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928140324/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1997/|url-status=live}}</ref> Parma won the cup in 1999, the last win of the Italian-domination era.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1998|title=Season 1998/99|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=29 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529030405/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1998/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the last UEFA Cup/Europa League final appearance for any Italian club until Internazionale reached the [[2020 UEFA Europa League Final|2020 final]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2019|title=Season 2019/20|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=18 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818050459/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2019/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Lech-Deportivo_04122008_UEFA_Cup_1-1.JPG|thumb|left|The match between [[Lech Poznań]] and [[Deportivo de La Coruña|Deportivo La Coruña]] in the 2008–09 season.]] The era of the 2000s began with victory for [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]], the first Turkish team to win the trophy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1999|title=Season 1999/00|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928005545/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1999/|url-status=live}}</ref> Liverpool won the competition for the third time in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2000|title=Season 2000/01|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607085057/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2000/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2002, Feyenoord became winners for the second time, defeating [[Borussia Dortmund]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2001|title=Season 2001/02|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=4 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004045047/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2001/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[FC Porto|Porto]] triumphed in the 2003<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2002|title=Season 2002/03|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617171044/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2002/|url-status=live}}</ref> and 2011 tournaments, with the latter victory against fellow Portuguese side [[S.C. Braga|Braga]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2010|title=Season 2010/11|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=26 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526200337/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2010/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2004, the cup returned to Spain with [[Valencia CF|Valencia]] being victorious.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2003|title=Season 2003/04|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=20 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820002252/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2003/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[PFC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] won in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2004|title=Season 2004/05|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=28 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128211128/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2004/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] succeeded on two consecutive occasions in 2006 and 2007,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2005|title=Season 2005/06|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=30 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130132839/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2005/|url-status=live}}</ref> the latter in a final against fellow Spaniards [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2006|title=Season 2006/07|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=26 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526195722/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2006/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit Saint Petersburg]] won in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2007|title=Season 2007/08|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022}}</ref> Ukraine's [[FC Shakhtar Donetsk|Shakhtar Donetsk]], won in 2009, the first Ukrainian side to do so.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2008|title=Season 2008/09|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929022018/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2008/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the 2009–10 season, the competition was rebranded as the UEFA Europa League.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0268-121578920573-b970b8f59925-1000--from-uefa-cup-to-uefa-europa-league/|title=From UEFA Cup to Europa League|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|date=20 April 2021|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=21 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921110104/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0268-121578920573-b970b8f59925-1000--from-uefa-cup-to-uefa-europa-league/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the same time, the [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]], UEFA's third-tier competition, was discontinued and merged into the new Europa League.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/intertoto-cup-tournament-died-suddenly-24994427|title=Intertoto Cup was Europe's back-door tournament with multiple winners that died suddenly|work=Mirror|last=Charlesworth|first=Ricky|date=16 September 2021|access-date=13 February 2023|archive-date=13 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213143554/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/intertoto-cup-tournament-died-suddenly-24994427|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Atlético Madrid]] won twice in three seasons, in 2010<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2009|title=Season 2009/10|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=26 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526195740/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2009/|url-status=live}}</ref> and 2012, the latter in another all-Spanish final between them and [[Athletic Bilbao]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2011|title=Season 2011/12|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=24 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924181019/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2011/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] became the first Champions League holders to win the UEFA Cup/Europa League the following year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2012|title=Season 2012/13|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=20 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820025713/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2012/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, Sevilla won their third cup in eight years after defeating [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] on penalties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2013|title=Season 2013/14|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814135932/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2013/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Sevilla won their fourth UEFA Cup/Europa League<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2014|title=Season 2014/15|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=26 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526173704/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2014/|url-status=live}}</ref> and, in an unprecedented feat, they defended their title a third year in a row beating [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in the 2016 final, making them the most successful team in the history of the competition with five titles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2015|title=Season 2015/16|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=29 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529032637/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2015/|url-status=live}}</ref> Atlético won their third title in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2017|title=Season 2017/18|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=1 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901163513/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2017/|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2019 all-London final between Chelsea and Arsenal was the first UEFA Cup/Europa League final between two teams from the same city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2018|title=Season 2018/19|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=16 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816203650/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2018/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sevilla added a record-extending sixth victory in 2020, after defeating [[Inter Milan]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2019|title=Season 2019/20|website=uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague|publisher=UEFA|access-date=21 September 2022|archive-date=18 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818050459/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/2019/|url-status=live}}</ref> and won an unprecedented seventh title in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65752974|title=Sevilla 1–1 Roma (4–1 on pens): Gonzalo Montiel scores winning penalty as La Liga side lift seventh Europa League|work=BBC Sport|last=Sutcliffe|first=Steve|date=31 May 2023|access-date=31 May 2023|archive-date=31 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531223618/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65752974|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Trophy== [[File:Europa League.svg|thumb|UEFA Europa League Trophy]] The UEFA Cup, also known as the ''Coupe UEFA'', is the [[trophy]] awarded annually by UEFA to the football club that wins the UEFA Europa League. Before the [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League|2009–10 season]], both the competition and the trophy were known as the 'UEFA Cup'. Before the competition was renamed the UEFA Europa League in the [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League|2009–10 season]], the UEFA regulations stated that a club could keep the original trophy for a year before returning it to UEFA. After its return, the club could keep a four-fifths scale replica of the original trophy. Upon their third consecutive win or fifth win overall, a club could retain the trophy permanently.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regulations of the UEFA Cup 2007/08, page 6, II Cup and Medals, Article 4, Cup |url=http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19070.pdf |website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |access-date=1 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629100814/http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19070.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2006 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Under the new regulations, the trophy remains in UEFA's keeping at all times. A full-size replica trophy is awarded to each winner of the competition. A club that wins three consecutive times or five times overall will receive a multiple-winner badge.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regulations of the UEFA Europa League 2009/10, page 7, III Trophies and medals, Article 5, Trophy|url=https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/competitions/UEFACup/84/52/89/845289_DOWNLOAD.pdf|website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823205941/https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/competitions/UEFACup/84/52/89/845289_DOWNLOAD.pdf|archive-date=23 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of [[2016–17 UEFA Europa League|2016–17]], only Sevilla has earned the honour to wear the multiple-winner badge, having achieved both prerequired feats in [[2016 UEFA Europa League Final|2016]].<ref name=sevilla16>{{cite news|title=Sevilla make it three in row at Liverpool's expense|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2016/matches/round=2000663/match=2017222/postmatch/report/index.html|website=UEFA.com|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=27 May 2015|access-date=28 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521030103/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2016/matches/round=2000663/match=2017222/postmatch/report/index.html|archive-date=21 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The trophy was designed and crafted by [[Silvio Gazzaniga]], who also designed the [[FIFA World Cup Trophy]], working for [[GDE Bertoni|Bertoni]], for the [[1972 UEFA Cup Final]]. It weighs {{cvt|15|kg|lb}} and is silver on a yellow marble plinth. {{convert|67|cm|in}} tall, the cup is formed by a base with two [[onyx]] discs in which a band with the flags of the UEFA member nations is inserted. The lower part of the sculpture symbolises the stylised footballers and is surmounted by a hand-embossed slab.<ref>{{cite web|title=UEFA Europa League trophy|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/thetrophy/|website=UEFA.com|date=January 2017|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812212232/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/thetrophy/|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Anthem== A musical theme for the competition, the Anthem, is played before every Europa League game at a stadium hosting such an event and before every television broadcast of a Europa League game as a musical element of the competition's opening sequence.<ref>{{cite news |title=UEFA Europa League anthem makes debut |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=875565.html |website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=28 August 2009 |access-date=12 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901003450/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=875565.html |archive-date=1 September 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The competition's first anthem was composed by Yohann Zveig and recorded by the [[Paris Opera]] in early 2009. The theme for the re-branded UEFA Cup competition was first officially unveiled at the [[Grimaldi Forum]] on 28 August 2009 before the [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League group stage|2009–10 season group stage]] draw. A new anthem was composed by Michael Kadelbach and recorded in Berlin and was launched as part of the competition's rebranding at the start of the [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League|2015–16 season]].<ref>{{cite news |title=UEFA Europa League anthem anthem|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=934495.html |website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=1 September 2015 |access-date=12 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301041822/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=934495.html |archive-date=1 March 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> A new anthem created by MassiveMusic was composed for the start of the [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League|2018–19 season]].<ref>{{cite news |title=UEFA Europa League launches edgier brand identity|url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/news/newsid=2561028.html |website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=30 May 2018 |access-date=2 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602192446/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/news/newsid=2561028.html |archive-date=2 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> It also can be heard at the start of [[UEFA Europa Conference League]] matches. ==Format== ===Qualification=== {{See also|UEFA coefficient}} Qualification for the competition is based on [[UEFA coefficient]]s, with better entrance rounds being offered to the more successful nations. In practice, each association has a standard number of three berths, except: * Nations ranked 52 and 53 ([[Andorran Football Federation|Andorra]] and [[San Marino Football Federation|San Marino]] in the 2013–14 season), which have two berths * The nation ranked 54 ([[Gibraltar Football Association|Gibraltar]] in the 2014–15 season) which has one berth. * [[Liechtenstein Football Association|Liechtenstein]], which qualifies only the [[Liechtenstein Football Cup|Cup]] winners Usually, each country's places are awarded to teams who finish in various runners-up places in [[:Category:Top level football leagues in Europe|its top-flight league]] and the winner of the [[Template:UEFA football cups|main cup competition]]. Typically the teams qualifying via the league are those in the highest places not eligible for the [[UEFA Champions League]]; however, the [[Belgian football league system|Belgian league]] awards one place via a playoff between [[Belgian First Division A|First A]] and [[Belgian First Division B|First B]] teams. Before its discontinuation in 2020–21, France offered a place to the winners of the [[Coupe de la Ligue]]. A team may qualify for European competitions through more than one route. In all cases, if a club is eligible to enter the [[UEFA Champions League]] then the Champions League place takes precedence and the club does not enter the UEFA Europa League. The UEFA Europa League place is then granted to another club or vacated if the maximum limit of teams qualifying for European competitions is exceeded. If a team qualifies for European competition through both winning a cup and league placing, the "spare" UEFA Europa League place will go to the highest placed league team which has not already qualified for European competition, depending on the rules of the national association, or vacated, if the described limit is reached. The top three ranked associations may qualify for the fourth berth if both the Champions League and Europa League champions are from that association and do not qualify for European competition through their domestic performance. In that case, the fourth-placed team in that association will join the Europa League instead of the Champions League, in addition to their other qualifying teams. More recently, clubs that are knocked out of the qualifying round and the group stage of the Champions League can also join the UEFA Europa League, at different stages (see below). Formerly, the reigning champions qualified to defend their title, but [[2015 UEFA Europa League Final|since 2015]] they qualify for the Champions League. From 1995 to 2015, three leagues gained one extra place via the [[UEFA Respect Fair Play ranking]]. ===Background=== [[UEFA coefficient]]s were introduced in 1980 and, until 1999, they gave a greater number of berths in UEFA Cup to the more successful nations. Three nations had four places, five nations had three places, thirteen nations had two places, and eleven nations only one place. Since 1998, a similar system has been used for the [[UEFA Champions League]]. Before 1980, the entrance criteria of the last [[Fairs Cup]] was used. ===Historical formats=== The competition was traditionally a pure knockout tournament. All ties were [[two-legged tie|two-legged]], including the final. Starting with the [[1997–98 UEFA Cup|1997–98 season]], the final became a one-off match, but all other ties remained two-legged. Before the [[2004–05 UEFA Cup|2004–05 season]], the tournament consisted of one qualifying round, followed by a series of knockout rounds. The sixteen non-qualifiers from the final qualifying round of the Champions League entered at the first round proper; later in the tournament, the survivors were joined by third-place finishers from the (first) group phase of the Champions League. From the 2004–05 season, the competition started with two knockout qualifying rounds held in July and August. Participants from associations ranked 18 and lower entered the first qualifying round with those from associations ranked 9–18 joining them in the second qualifying round. In addition, three places in the first qualifying round were reserved for the [[UEFA Fair Play ranking]] winners (until 2015–16), and eleven places in the second qualifying round for the [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]] winners. Winners of the qualifying rounds then joined teams from the associations ranked 1–13 in the first round proper. In addition, non-qualifiers in the third qualifying round of the Champions League also joined the competition at this point along with the current title-holders (unless they had qualified for the Champions League via their national league), for a total of 80 teams in the first round. After the first knockout round, the 40 survivors entered a group phase, with the clubs being drawn into eight groups of five each. Unlike the Champions League group phase, the UEFA Cup group phase was played in a single [[round-robin tournament|round-robin format]], with each club playing two home and two away games. The top three teams in each of the eight groups qualified for the main knockout round along with the eight third-placed teams in the Champions League group phase. From then on a series of two-legged knockout ties were played before a single-legged final, traditionally held on a Wednesday in May, exactly one week before the Champions League final. ===Current format=== [[File:UEFA members Europa League group stage.png|thumb|upright=1.35|alt=See caption|A map of UEFA countries whose teams reached the group stage of the UEFA Europa League {{legend|#67E863|UEFA member country that has been represented in the group stage}} {{legend|#6085EF|UEFA member country that has not been represented in the group stage}}]] In the [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League|2009–10 season]], the competition was rebranded as the UEFA Europa League to raise its profile.<ref name="bbc_europa"/> Eight more teams qualified for the group stage, which consisted of 12 groups with four teams each (in a double round-robin); the top two teams in each group advanced. The competition was then similar to the previous format, with four rounds of [[two-legged tie|two-legged]] knockout rounds and a one-off final held at a neutral ground which met UEFA's [[UEFA stadium categories|Category Four stadium criteria]]. The final was played in May, on the Wednesday ten days before the Champions League final. Qualification changed significantly. Associations ranked 7–9 in the [[UEFA coefficients]] sent the cup winners and three (two since the 2015–16 season) other teams to the UEFA Europa League qualification; all other nations sent a cup winner and two other teams, except for Andorra and San Marino (who sent a cup winner and a runner-up) and Liechtenstein (who sent only a cup winner). Since Gibraltar was accepted as a full UEFA member at the 24 May 2013 [[UEFA Congress]] in London, their cup winner also qualified for the Europa League. Although the other teams will be the next-highest-ranked clubs in each domestic league (after those qualifying for the UEFA Champions League), France and England will continue to use one spot for their league-cup winners. With the abolition of the [[UEFA Intertoto Cup|Intertoto Cup]], all participants in the Europa League are qualified through domestic routes. The higher an association is ranked in the UEFA coefficients, the later its clubs generally begin the qualification. However, every team except for the title-holder (until the 2014–15 season) and the highest-ranked teams (usually the cup winner or the best Europa League-qualified team) from the top (six from 2012 to 2015, 12 since the 2015–16 season) associations had to play at least one qualification round. Except for the teams mentioned, all teams eliminated in the Champions League preliminary round, qualifying rounds and play-off round are transferred to the Europa League. The 12 winners and the 12 runners-up in the group stage advance to the knockout round with eight third-place teams from the Champions League group stage. The distribution was changed in 2014 to broaden the competition's appeal, giving the Europa League champions a Champions League qualification berth; more teams automatically qualify for the group stage. If cup winners had already qualified for European competition through league performance, their place in the league is vacated and goes to the best-ranked teams not qualified for European competition; the cup runner-up is no longer qualified through the cup berth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2137611.html|title=New approach broadens Europa League appeal|website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=29 August 2014|access-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830041330/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2137611.html|archive-date=30 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> These rules became effective for the 2015–16 season. ===Distribution (from 2018–19 to 2020–21)=== Beginning with the [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League|2018–19 tournament]], all domestic champions eliminated in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League will transfer to the Europa League, rather than just teams that are eliminated in the third-qualifying and play-off rounds. Europa League qualifying will also provide a separate champions route for these teams, allowing more opportunities for domestic league champions to compete against each other.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2431123.html|title=UEFA club competitions rights sales process for 2018–21 cycle kicks off|website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309035049/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2431123.html|archive-date=9 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> {|class="wikitable" |- !colspan=2| !Teams entering in this round !Teams advancing from previous round !Teams transferred from Champions League |- !colspan=2|Preliminary round<br>(16 teams) | * 6 domestic cup winners from associations 50–55 * 7 domestic league runners-up from associations 49–55 * 3 domestic league third-placed teams from associations 48–50 | | |- !colspan=2|First qualifying round<br>(94 teams) | * 25 domestic cup winners from associations 25–49 * 30 domestic league runners-up from associations 18–48 (except Liechtenstein) * 31 domestic league third-placed teams from associations 16–47 (except Liechtenstein) | * 8 winners from preliminary round | |- !rowspan=2|Second qualifying round !Champions<br>(20 teams) | | | * 17 losers from Champions League first qualifying round * 3 losers from Champions League preliminary round |- !Non-champions<br>(74 teams) | * 7 domestic cup winners from associations 18–24 * 2 domestic league runners-up from associations 16–17 * 3 domestic league third-placed teams from associations 13–15 * 9 domestic league fourth-placed teams from associations 7–15 * 2 domestic league fifth-placed teams from associations 5–6 (League Cup winners for France) * 4 domestic league sixth-placed teams from associations 1–4 (League Cup winners for England) | * 47 winners from first qualifying round | |- !rowspan=2|Third qualifying round !Champions<br>(20 teams) | | * 10 winners from second qualifying round for champions | * 10 losers from Champions League second qualifying round for champions |- !Non-champions<br>(52 teams) | * 5 domestic cup winners from associations 13–17 * 6 domestic league third-placed teams from associations 7–12 * 1 domestic league fourth-placed team from association 6 | * 37 winners from second qualifying round for non-champions | * 3 losers from Champions League second qualifying round for non-champions |- !rowspan=2|Play-off round !Champions<br>(16 teams) | | * 10 winners from third qualifying round for champions | * 6 losers from Champions League third qualifying round for champions |- !Non-champions<br>(26 teams) | | * 26 winners from third qualifying round for non-champions | |- !colspan=2|Group stage<br>(48 teams) | * 12 domestic cup winners from associations 1–12 * 1 domestic league fourth-placed team from association 5 * 4 domestic league fifth-placed teams from associations 1–4 | * 21 winners from play-off round | * 6 losers from Champions League play-off round * 4 losers from Champions League third qualifying round for non-champions |- !colspan=2|Knockout phase<br>(32 teams) | | * 12 group winners from group stage * 12 group runners-up from group stage | * 8 third-placed teams from Champions League group stage |} ===Distribution (from 2021–22 to 2023–24)=== The announcement of the [[UEFA Europa Conference League]], a tertiary competition which would serve to split off the lower-ranked teams in the Europa League to give them a greater chance to compete, included a document from UEFA listing their intentions for qualification to the Europa League from 2021 onwards.<ref name="UEL2">{{cite press release |url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/news/newsid=2585829.html |title=UEFA Executive Committee approves new club competition |website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=2 December 2018 |access-date=2 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202205801/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/news/newsid=2585829.html |archive-date=2 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> With a majority of the former entrants into the Europa League now participating solely in the UECL, the Europa League itself would have a greatly reduced format which will focus primarily around its group stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/uefaorg/General/02/58/61/42/2586142_DOWNLOAD.pdf |title=UEL2 Access List 2021–24 |website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=2 December 2018 |access-date=2 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203015513/https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/uefaorg/General/02/58/61/42/2586142_DOWNLOAD.pdf |archive-date=3 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> There would also be an additional knockout round before the knockout phase proper, allowing for third-placed teams in the Champions League group stage to fall into the Europa League while still keeping the knockout stage itself at only 16 teams total.<ref name="UEL2"/> {|class="wikitable" |- !colspan=2| !Teams entering in this round !Teams advancing from previous round !Teams transferred from Champions League |- !rowspan=2|Third qualifying round !Champions<br>(10 teams) | | | * 10 losers from Champions League second qualifying round for champions |- !Non-champions<br>(6 teams) | * 3 domestic cup winners from associations 13–15 | | * 3 losers from Champions League second qualifying round for non-champions |- !colspan=2|Play-off round<br>(20 teams) | * 6 domestic cup winners from associations 7–12 | * 5 winners from qualifying round for champions * 3 winners from qualifying round for non-champions | * 6 losers from Champions League third qualifying round for champions |- !colspan=2|Group stage<br>(32 teams) | * [[UEFA Europa Conference League]] title holders (beginning with the 2022–23 season) * 6 domestic cup winners from associations 1–6 * 1 domestic league fourth-placed team from association 5 * 4 domestic league fifth-placed teams from associations 1–4 | * 10 winners from play-off round | * 4 losers from Champions League play-off round for champions * 6 losers from Champions League third qualifying round and play-off round for non-champions |- !colspan=2|Preliminary knockout round<br>(16 teams) | | * 8 group runners-up from group stage | * 8 third-placed teams from Champions League group stage |- !colspan=2|Knockout phase<br>(16 teams) | | * 8 group winners from group stage * 8 winners from preliminary knockout round | |} ===Distribution (from 2024–25)=== <ref>{{cite news |title=UEFA approves final format and access list for its club competitions as of the 2024/25 season |url=https://www.uefa.com/returntoplay/news/0275-151c779310c3-b92bbf0d24f9-1000--format-access-list-for-24-25-onwards-approved/ |publisher=UEFA |date=10 May 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511080232/https://www.uefa.com/returntoplay/news/0275-151c779310c3-b92bbf0d24f9-1000--format-access-list-for-24-25-onwards-approved/ |archive-date=11 May 2022 }}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- !colspan=2| !Teams entering in this round !Teams advancing from the previous round !Teams transferred from Champions League |- !colspan=2|First qualifying round<br> (18 teams) | * 18 domestic cup winners from associations 16–33 | | |- !colspan=2|Second qualifying round<br> (16 teams) | * 6 domestic league third-placed teams from associations 7–12 * 1 domestic league fourth-placed team from association 6 | * 9 winners from the first qualifying round | |- !rowspan=2|Third qualifying round<br> !Champions<br> (12 teams) | | | * 12 losers from Champions League second qualifying round for champions |- !Non-champions<br> (14 teams) | * 3 domestic cup winners from associations 13–15 | * 8 winners from second qualifying round for non-champions | * 3 losers from Champions League second qualifying round for non-champions |- !colspan=2|Play-off round<br>(24 teams) | * 5 domestic cup winners from associations 8–12 | * 6 winners from third qualifying round for champions * 7 winners from third qualifying round for non-champions | * 6 losers from Champions League third qualifying round for champions |- !colspan=2|Group stage<br> (36 teams) | * [[UEFA Europa Conference League]] title holders * 7 domestic cup winners from associations 1–7 * 5 domestic league fifth-placed teams from associations 1–5 | * 12 winners from play-off round | * 5 losers from Champions League play-off round for champions * 6 losers from Champions League third qualifying round and play-off round for non-champions |} ==Prize money== Similar to the UEFA Champions League, the prize money received by the clubs is divided into fixed payments based on participation and results, and variable amounts that depend of the value of their TV market.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/publications/uefa/uefamedia/83/97/47/839747_download.pdf |title=uefadirect 7/09 |page=7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704055542/https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/publications/uefa/uefamedia/83/97/47/839747_download.pdf |archive-date=4 July 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> For the [[2021–22 UEFA Europa League|2021–22 season]], group stage participation in the Europa League awarded a base fee of €3,630,000. A victory in the group pays €630,000 and a draw €210,000. Each group winner earns €1,100,000 and each runner-up €550,000. Reaching the knock-out stage triggers additional bonuses: €500,000 for the round of 32, €1,200,000 for the round of 16, €1,800,000 for the quarter-finals and €2,800,000 for the semi-finals. The losing finalists receive €4,600,000 and the champions receive €8,600,000.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Distribution to clubs from the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League and the 2021 UEFA Super Cup Payments for the qualifying phases Solidarity payments for non-participating clubs |url=https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0269-125fde34ba54-30a4c9aeea13-1000/20210520_circular_2021_35_en.pdf#page3|website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=20 May 2021|access-date=20 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528124547/https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0269-125fde34ba54-30a4c9aeea13-1000/20210520_circular_2021_35_en.pdf|archive-date=28 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> * Qualified to group stage: €3,630,000 * Match won in group stage: €630,000 * Match drawn in group stage: €210,000 * 1st in group stage: €1,100,000 * 2nd in group stage: €550,000 * Knockout round play-offs: €500,000 * Round of 16: €1,200,000 * Quarter-final: €1,800,000 * Semi-final: €2,800,000 * Runner-up: €4,600,000 * Champion: €8,600,000 ==Sponsorship== The UEFA Europa League is sponsored by seven multinational corporations, which share the same partners with the UEFA Europa Conference League. The tournament's main sponsors for the 2021–24 cycle are: * [[Heineken N.V.]] ** [[Heineken]] – [[Heineken#Heineken 0.0|Heineken 0.0]]<ref>{{cite press release|title=HEINEKEN extends UEFA club competition sponsorship|url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/mediaservices/news/0236-0f8e4a18ca0a-0ea6ece636c8-1000--heineken-extends-uefa-club-competition-sponsorship/|website=UEFA.com|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-date=10 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610184419/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/mediaservices/news/0236-0f8e4a18ca0a-0ea6ece636c8-1000--heineken-extends-uefa-club-competition-sponsorship/|url-status=live}}</ref> (except [[Albania]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[France]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kosovo]], [[Norway]] and [[Turkey]]) * [[Just Eat Takeaway]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Carp|first=Sam|title=Uefa's Just Eat sponsorship covers Champions League and Women's Euro|work=SportsPro|publisher=SportsPro Media Limited|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/uefa-just-eat-sponsorship-champions-league-womens-euro|access-date=23 March 2021|archive-date=5 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605104925/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/uefa-just-eat-sponsorship-champions-league-womens-euro|url-status=live}}</ref> ** 10bis (Israel only) **Bistro (Slovakia only) **[[Just Eat]] (Croatia, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom only) ** Lieferando (Germany and Austria only) ** [[Grubhub]] ([[United States]] only) ** [[SkipTheDishes]] ([[Canada]] only) ** Pyszne (Poland only) ** Takeaway (Belgium, Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Romania only) ** Thuisbezorgd (Netherlands only) * [[Hankook Tire]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 August 2021|title=Hankook Tire renews longstanding UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League partnership|url=https://www.uefa.com/returntoplay/news/026c-13193f496cff-ec3e691b7999-1000--hankook-tire-renews-longstanding-uefa-europa-league-and-uefa-eu/|access-date=15 September 2021|website=UEFA.com|archive-date=15 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915065911/https://www.uefa.com/returntoplay/news/026c-13193f496cff-ec3e691b7999-1000--hankook-tire-renews-longstanding-uefa-europa-league-and-uefa-eu/|url-status=live}}</ref> ** Laufenn * [[Engelbert Strauss]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 July 2021|title=Engelbert Strauss signs three-year UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League partnership|url=https://www.uefa.com/returntoplay/news/026b-12daa3a5cce7-6eefd178590f-1000--engelbert-strauss-signs-three-year-uefa-europa-league-and-uefa-/|access-date=15 September 2021|website=UEFA.com|archive-date=28 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728163241/https://www.uefa.com/returntoplay/news/026b-12daa3a5cce7-6eefd178590f-1000--engelbert-strauss-signs-three-year-uefa-europa-league-and-uefa-/|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Enterprise Rent-A-Car]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/returntoplay/news/026d-134148fb0733-72351128afba-1000--enterprise-rent-a-car-renews-uefa-partnership/|title=Enterprise Rent-A-Car renews UEFA partnership|work=Union of European Football Associations|date=16 September 2021|access-date=13 March 2023|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313231611/https://www.uefa.com/returntoplay/news/026d-134148fb0733-72351128afba-1000--enterprise-rent-a-car-renews-uefa-partnership/|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Swissquote]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 September 2021|title=Swissquote signs three-year UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League partnership|url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/news/026d-132360025744-9c56a346e83b-1000--swissquote-signs-three-year-uefa-europa-league-and-uefa-europa-/|access-date=15 September 2021|website=UEFA.com|archive-date=11 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911050040/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/news/026d-132360025744-9c56a346e83b-1000--swissquote-signs-three-year-uefa-europa-league-and-uefa-europa-/|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Bwin]] (except Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Spain and Turkey) <ref>{{Cite web|date=7 September 2021|title=bwin becomes Official Partner of the UEFA Europa League and new UEFA Europa Conference League|url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/news/026d-132f36b457c8-e9a2eb52ccac-1000--bwin-becomes-official-partner-of-the-uefa-europa-league-and-new/|access-date=15 September 2021|website=UEFA.com|archive-date=15 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915065909/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/news/026d-132f36b457c8-e9a2eb52ccac-1000--bwin-becomes-official-partner-of-the-uefa-europa-league-and-new/|url-status=live}}</ref> ** Entain Foundation *Socios.com (United States only)<ref>{{Cite press release |date=15 February 2022 |title=Socios.com becomes the Official Fan Token Partner of UEFA Club Competitions |url=https://www.uefa.com/returntoplay/news/0272-1473824c0479-593ea71c724a-1000--socios-com-becomes-the-official-fan-token-partner-of-uefa-club-/ |access-date=27 February 2022 |publisher=UEFA |archive-date=1 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601145118/https://www.uefa.com/returntoplay/news/0272-1473824c0479-593ea71c724a-1000--socios-com-becomes-the-official-fan-token-partner-of-uefa-club-/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Molten Corporation|Molten]] is a secondary sponsor and supplies the official match ball.<ref>{{cite web|title=Molten becomes UEFA Europa League match ball supplier|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2512610.html|website=UEFA.com|publisher=Union of European Football Associations |access-date=29 May 2018|date=23 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023153849/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2512610.html|archive-date=23 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the inception of Europa League brand, the [[tournament]] has used its own hoardings (in that year it debuted in the round of 32) like UEFA Champions League. LED hoardings made their debut in the 2012–13 final and appeared in the 2015–16 season from the round of 16. In the same season, from the group stage, teams are not allowed to show their sponsors.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Regulations of the UEFA Europa League 2015–18 Cycle: 2015/16 Season|website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |url=http://it.uefa.org/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/uefaorg/Regulations/02/23/69/59/2236959_DOWNLOAD.pdf|url-status=dead|year=2015|access-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160306180902/http://it.uefa.org/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/uefaorg/Regulations/02/23/69/59/2236959_DOWNLOAD.pdf |archive-date=6 March 2016|page=53}}</ref> It appeared in the 2018–19 season for selected matches in the group stages and the round of 32.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Unknown|website=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|url=https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/uefaorg/Regulations/02/55/82/82/2558282_DOWNLOAD.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512113136/https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/uefaorg/Regulations/02/55/82/82/2558282_DOWNLOAD.pdf|archive-date=12 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Individual clubs may wear jerseys with advertising, even if such sponsors conflict with those of the Europa League. Two sponsorships are permitted per jersey (plus that of the manufacturer), at the chest and the left sleeve.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UEFA Documents|url=https://documents.uefa.com/r/4W_2d4J1wzeSliUijD1~kg/jT6ByA7x9dsfPye5Rz1z6w|access-date=31 July 2021|website=documents.uefa.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731031204/https://documents.uefa.com/r/4W_2d4J1wzeSliUijD1~kg/jT6ByA7x9dsfPye5Rz1z6w|archive-date=31 July 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> Exceptions are made for non-profit organisations, which can feature on the front of the shirt, incorporated with the main sponsor, or on the back, either below the squad number or between the player name and the collar. ==Records and statistics== {{main|UEFA Cup and Europa League records and statistics}} {{See also|UEFA Europa League clubs performance comparison}} {{See also|List of UEFA Cup and Europa League top scorers}} The UEFA Cup finals were played over two legs until [[1997 UEFA Cup Final|1997]]. The first final, between [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] and [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], was played on 3 May 1972 in [[Wolverhampton]] and 17 May 1972 in [[London]]. The first leg was won 2–1 by Tottenham Hotspur. The second leg ended in a 1–1 draw, meaning that Tottenham Hotspur became the first UEFA Cup winners. The one-match finals in pre-selected venues were introduced in 1998. A venue must meet or exceed [[UEFA stadium categories|UEFA Category three standards]] to host UEFA Cup finals. On two occasions, the final was played at a finalist's home ground: [[Feyenoord]] defeated [[Borussia Dortmund]] at [[De Kuip]], [[Rotterdam]], in [[2002 UEFA Cup Final|2002]], and [[Sporting Clube de Portugal|Sporting CP]] lost to [[PFC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] at their own [[Estádio José Alvalade]], [[Lisbon]], in [[2005 UEFA Cup Final|2005]]. The last UEFA Cup final before it was rebranded as the UEFA Europa League was held at the [[Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium]] in [[Istanbul]] on 20 May 2009, when [[FC Shakhtar Donetsk|Shakhtar Donetsk]] of Ukraine beat [[SV Werder Bremen|Werder Bremen]] of Germany 2–1 after extra time. The first final of the rebranded Europa League was played in [[2010 UEFA Europa League Final|2010]], when [[Atlético Madrid]] of Spain beat [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] of England 2–1 after extra time. ===Performances by club=== {{Main|List of UEFA Cup and Europa League finals}}{{UEFA Europa League performance by club}} ===Performances by nation=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |+ Performance in finals by nation !scope=col| Nation !scope=col| Winners !scope=col| Runners-up !scope=col| Total |- !scope=row| {{fba|ESP}} |align=center| 14 |align=center| 5 |align=center| 19 |- !scope=row| {{fba|ENG}} |align=center| 9 |align=center| 8 |align=center| 17 |- !scope=row| {{fba|ITA}} |align=center| 9 |align=center| 8 |align=center| 17 |- !scope=row| {{fba|GER}}{{ref label|GER|A|^}} |align=center| 7 |align=center| 8 |align=center| 15 |- !scope=row| {{fba|NED}} |align=center| 4 |align=center| 3 |align=center| 7 |- !scope=row| {{fba|POR}} |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5 |align=center| 7 |- !scope=row| {{fba|RUS}} |align=center| 2 |align=center| 0 |align=center| 2 |- !scope=row| {{fba|SWE}} |align=center| 2 |align=center| 0 |align=center| 2 |- !scope=row| {{fba|BEL}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2 |align=center| 3 |- !scope=row| {{fba|UKR}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2 |- !scope=row| {{fba|TUR}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0 |align=center| 1 |- !scope=row| {{fba|FRA}} |align=center| 0 |align=center| 5 |align=center| 5 |- !scope=row| {{fba|SCO}} |align=center| 0 |align=center| 4 |align=center| 4 |- !scope=row| {{fba|AUT}} |align=center| 0 |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1 |- !scope=row| {{fba|HUN}} |align=center| 0 |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1 |- !scope=row| {{fba|YUG}} |align=center| 0 |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1 |} ;Notes <references group="nb"/> * A&nbsp;{{note label|Germany|A|^}} Includes [[West Germany]] clubs, no [[East Germany]] clubs appeared in a final. ==Awards== Starting from the 2016–17 edition of the competition, UEFA introduced the '''UEFA Europa League Player of the Season''' award. The jury is composed of the coaches of the clubs which participate in the group stage of the competition, together with 55 journalists selected by the [[European Sports Media]] (ESM) group, one from each UEFA member association. ;Winners {| class="wikitable" |- !Season !Player !Club |- !colspan="3"|UEFA Europa League Player of the Season |- |[[2016–17 UEFA Europa League|2016–17]] |{{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Paul Pogba]] |{{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] |- |[[2017–18 UEFA Europa League|2017–18]] |{{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Antoine Griezmann]] |{{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Atlético Madrid]] |- |[[2018–19 UEFA Europa League|2018–19]] |{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Eden Hazard]] |{{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] |- |[[2019–20 UEFA Europa League|2019–20]] |{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Romelu Lukaku]] |{{fbaicon|ITA}} [[Inter Milan]] |- |[[2020–21 UEFA Europa League|2020–21]] |{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Gerard Moreno]] |{{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] |- |[[2021–22 UEFA Europa League|2021–22]] |{{flagicon|SRB}} [[Filip Kostić]] |{{fbaicon|GER}} [[Eintracht Frankfurt]] |- |[[2022–23 UEFA Europa League|2022–23]] |{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Jesús Navas]] |{{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] |} Starting from the 2021–22 edition of the competition, UEFA introduced the '''UEFA Europa League Young Player of the Season''' award, chosen by UEFA's Technical Observer Panel. ;Winners {| class="wikitable" |- !Season !Player !Club |- !colspan="3"|UEFA Europa League Young Player of the Season |- |[[2021–22 UEFA Europa League|2021–22]] |{{flagicon|GER}} [[Ansgar Knauff]] |{{fbaicon|GER}} [[Eintracht Frankfurt]] |- |[[2022–23 UEFA Europa League|2022–23]] |{{flagicon|GER}} [[Florian Wirtz]] |{{fbaicon|GER}} [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]] |} ==See also== * [[List of association football competitions]] ==Notes== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons category multi|UEFA Cup|UEFA Europa League}} * {{Official website}} {{lang in|en|fr|de|it|es|pt|ru}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20101119083022/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/history/index.html UEFA Europa League – History] (archived) * [https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/ UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League – History] {{UEFA Europa League seasons}} {{UEFA Europa League winners}} {{UEFA competitions}} {{International club football}} {{European Club Competitions}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:UEFA Europa League}} [[Category:UEFA Europa League| ]] [[Category:UEFA club competitions|Europa League]] [[Category:1971 establishments in Europe]] [[Category:Multi-national association football leagues in Europe|2]] [[Category:Multi-national professional sports leagues]] [[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1971]]'