The allocation of spots for German clubs in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League for the 2024/25 season is heating up. Thanks to the new UEFA season ranking (see here), the Bundesliga has secured a fifth spot in the Champions League, along with one spot each in the Europa League and the Conference League.
Here’s the current distribution: BASIS: Update: May 4, 2024, 8:30 PM
- Places 1-5: Champions League
- Bayer Leverkusen (+)
- Bayern Munich (+)
- VfB Stuttgart (+)
- RB Leipzig (+)
- Borussia Dortmund (+)
- Place 6: Europa League Currently: Eintracht Frankfurt (45 points / Goal difference: +5)
- Place 7: Conference League Currently: SC Freiburg (41 points / Goal difference: -12) In contention: 1899 Hoffenheim (40 points / Goal difference: -8), FC Augsburg (39 points / Goal difference: -8), Werder Bremen (38 points / Goal difference: -9), Heidenheim (37 points / Goal difference: -8), VfL Wolfsburg (37 points / Goal difference: -11)
Scenario 1: Bayer Leverkusen wins the DFB-Pokal
Since Bayer Leverkusen, as champions, is already qualified for the Champions League, the Bundesliga gains an additional Europa League spot.
- Places 1-5: Champions League
- Places 6 + 7: Europa League
- Currently: Eintracht Frankfurt + SC Freiburg
- Place 8: Conference League
- Currently: 1899 Hoffenheim
Scenario 2: 1. FC Kaiserslautern wins the DFB-Pokal
- As Basis
- Additional Europa League spot: 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Scenario 3: Borussia Dortmund wins the Champions League and finishes 5th in the Bundesliga
If Borussia Dortmund wins the Champions League and finishes 5th in the Bundesliga, the Bundesliga gets an additional Champions League spot, as the titleholder has a guaranteed berth. However, this eliminates a Europa League spot. Here’s what that would look like:
- Places 1-5: Champions League (as in the Basis)
- Place 6: Champions League
- Currently: Eintracht Frankfurt
- Place 7: Europa League
- Currently: SC Freiburg
- Place 8: Conference League
- Currently: 1899 Hoffenheim
If Borussia Dortmund wins the Champions League and finishes 1st through 4th, or if they don’t win the Champions League, Scenario 1 or Scenario 2 applies.