The UEFA Champions League is the pinnacle of European club football, and securing a spot in this prestigious competition is a primary goal for top teams across the continent. For Spain's La Liga, the qualification process involves several factors, including league position and performance in other European competitions. This article will outline how many La Liga teams typically qualify for the Champions League and the potential for additional spots.
Standard Qualification via League Position
Traditionally, the top four teams in the La Liga standings at the end of the season automatically qualify for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in the following season.
The teams finishing in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place are guaranteed a place in Europe's premier club competition.
Potential for an Extra "European Performance Spot"
For the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season, La Liga has secured an additional, fifth spot in the league phase of the competition.
This extra place is awarded based on UEFA's association club coefficient rankings, which reflect the collective performance of a league's clubs in UEFA competitions.
La Liga's strong performance in recent seasons has earned them one of these "European Performance Spots".
As it stands on May 6, 2025, the team currently in 5th position in La Liga would claim this additional Champions League spot.
Qualification for Title Holders of European Competitions
There are scenarios where La Liga could have more than five representatives in the Champions League:
UEFA Champions League Winner: If a La Liga team wins the current season's UEFA Champions League but finishes outside the top five in the league, they will still qualify for the following season's Champions League group stage. This would give La Liga a total of six teams.
UEFA Europa League Winner: Similarly, if a La Liga team wins the current season's UEFA Europa League but finishes outside the top five in the league, they will also qualify for the following season's Champions League group stage. This could also potentially lead to six La Liga teams, but rules prevent more than five teams from a single association qualifying through league position and European titles combined in certain scenarios.
Current Landscape
As the 2024-25 La Liga season progresses (current date: May 6, 2025), the teams currently occupying the top five positions are the ones in line to qualify for the 2025-26 Champions League. These positions are subject to change until the end of the season.
Conclusion
For the 2025-26 season, La Liga is guaranteed five spots in the UEFA Champions League group stage, thanks to their league coefficient ranking. The top four teams in the league will qualify directly, along with the team finishing in fifth place. There is also a possibility of having six La Liga teams if a Spanish club wins either the Champions League or Europa League and finishes outside the top five in La Liga.
About
Q: How many La Liga teams usually qualify for the Champions League? A: Typically, the top four teams in La Liga qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Q: How many La Liga teams will qualify for the Champions League in the 2025-26 season? A: La Liga has secured five qualification spots for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League due to their UEFA coefficient ranking.
Q: Can La Liga have more than five teams in the Champions League? A: Yes, if a La Liga team wins the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League and finishes outside the top five in the league, La Liga could have a total of six teams, although regulations can cap the number in certain situations.
Q: What determines which La Liga teams qualify for the Champions League? A: The teams that finish in the top four positions in the La Liga standings automatically qualify. For the 2025-26 season, the team finishing in fifth place will also qualify. Potential additional spots depend on the winners of the current season's Champions League and Europa League.
Q: Is the qualification process for the Champions League the same every year? A: The standard qualification through league position (top four) remains consistent. However, the number of additional spots via the "European Performance Spot" can vary based on the league's UEFA coefficient ranking each season.