european Champions League vs. Europa League vs. Conference League differences and benefits of winning

1. UEFA Champions League (UCL)

• european club soccer’s most prestigious competition
• featuring the top 1-4 teams in each national league (quotas vary by league)
• highest global recognition and viewership
• approximately €25 million (KRW 36.7 billion) in prize money and potential gross revenue of more than KRW 100 billion
• automatic qualification to next season’s Champions League and UEFA Super Cup for winners
• increased team brand value and player transfer market advantage

2. UEFA Europa League (UEL)

• competition after the Champions League
• mid-table teams from national leagues and cup competition winners participate
• prize money of approximately EUR 13 million (USD 19.1 billion), with potential total revenue of up to USD 37.8 billion
• automatic qualification to next season’s Champions League and UEFA Super Cup for winners
• strong participation from Premier League, La Liga and other top clubs

3. UEFA Conference League (UECL)

• new in 2021, for small and medium-sized leagues and lower-ranked clubs
• open to lower-ranked teams, aimed at giving them experience of European competition
• increased revenue with a prize pool of around €7 million (KRW 10.3 billion), including group stage fees and match bonuses
• automatic qualification to next season’s Europa League if winner
• Collect an official UEFA trophy and gain international experience

bottom line

the top teams in the league aim to win the Champions League, while mid-tier clubs aim to qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. smaller clubs can use the conference leagues to gain experience and advance to the Europa League. all three competitions have their own stature and revenue structure, and winning them alone has a huge impact on club finances. if you’re a soccer fan, understanding the competition structure and reward system will help you enjoy the game more.