Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace join the Europa League league phase
Three English clubs head into the 2026–27 Europa League: Bournemouth and Sunderland qualified on their Premier League finish, while Crystal Palace step up from the Conference League as defending champions after beating Rayo Vallecano in May's final.
Bournemouth reward a strong league campaign
Andoni Iraola's side finished 6th in the Premier League, securing European football and a Europa League league-phase place on merit for the first time in the club's history.
Sunderland back on the continental stage
Sunderland also qualify on league position, giving the newly-promoted club an immediate return to European competition alongside a first top-flight season back among the elite.
Palace step up as Conference League holders
Crystal Palace's 1–0 win over Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig secures an automatic Europa League league-phase place as defending Conference League champions, moving the club up a tier in Europe for 2026–27.
What's next
All three join Aston Villa's old Europa League place being vacated after Villa's promotion to the Champions League, with the league-phase draw on August 28 and Matchday 1 on September 16–17.
Sources: UEFA, July 2026.