As the Premier League season approaches its final days, several clubs are still fighting for a place in European competition next season. Here is a breakdown of how many European spots are available and how teams can earn them.

How many European places does the Premier League receive?

England's top flight receives a significant allocation of European places each season, spread across three competitions: the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Conference League.

The Premier League's top four clubs at the end of the season secure berths in the UEFA Champions League group stage. The fifth-placed team enters the UEFA Europa League, while the sixth-placed club drops into the UEFA Conference League.

Cup winners and their impact

The FA Cup and the EFL Cup winners are also awarded European places — the FA Cup winner enters the UEFA Europa League, and the EFL Cup winner earns a spot in the UEFA Conference League. However, if either cup winner has already qualified for Europe through their league finish, their European place passes to the next-highest-placed league club that has not yet qualified.

This means the total number of Premier League clubs in Europe can shift depending on results in domestic cup competitions. In some seasons, as many as seven clubs from England have participated in European football.

The race for the top seven

With the season nearing its conclusion, the battle for a place in the top six — or even seven — remains intense. Points separating several mid-table clubs from the European places can be narrow, making the final fixtures decisive for clubs chasing continental football.

Clubs that finish inside the top four are guaranteed UEFA Champions League football, which carries significantly greater financial rewards and prestige than the Europa or Conference leagues. As a result, the contest for those coveted positions draws the most attention each season.

Conference League and the path for smaller clubs

The UEFA Conference League has offered a route into European football for clubs that might previously have been locked out of continental competition. For Premier League sides finishing sixth or seventh — or cup winners outside the top six — it represents a genuine opportunity to compete on the European stage.

As the final days of the season unfold, every point matters for clubs chasing those remaining European places.