Tirana started. When the European Football Union (UEFA) stamped a completely new competition with the Conference League for the 2021/2022 season, the applicants were not exactly in line for the first final.
The still underestimated capital of Albania threw his hat into the ring at the time and aligned the first final in which AS Rome prevailed against Feyenoord Rotterdam. On the one hand, José Mourinho, who was just moving to Benfica Lisbon, coached the winner who Liverpool FC celebrated Arne slot the loser.
Leipzig was happy about surcharge
The Conference League is not as prominent as these coaching figures, but the competition has established itself. The simple argument of UEFA boss Aleksandar Ceferin (“There will be more games for more clubs and more associations will be represented in the group phases.”) got caught. The relieved access causes enthusiasm for many smaller clubs – and there is no shortage of applicants for the orientation of the final.
Germany is the first time in this season. When Leipzig received the award from the UEFA Executive Committee, the final on May 27, 2026, said Johann Plenge, the managing director of RB Leipzig: “We are very pleased that we with the final of the Conference League 2026 after the Euro 2024 could bring the next major sporting event to Leipzig. At the same time, the award confirms that the Red Bull Arena as a stadium offers the best conditions for international highlights at a top level. “
Trouble about missed Europapokalplatz
It does not lack a certain piquant territory that the shower club unexpectedly even had the option in spring to qualify for this competition. But the Saxons, who ultimately invited as seventhers, also missed this goal. The trouble on the Cottaweg about this missed chance is not said to have been small. But so you could at least save yourself the consideration of how “Finale Dahoam” had sounded in Saxon.
Mainz 05 celebrates the victory in the Conference League duel with Rosenborg Trondheim.
For this purpose, the 1st FSV Mainz 05, as the sixth, acquired the authorization to contest the playoffs. When the hurdle Rosenborg Trondheim (1: 2, 4: 1) was taken, the party mood in the sold -out arena prevailed. The Danish podium Bo Henriksen then raved to the SWR microphone: “Of course that’s a wonderful evening for us.” Maybe the most beautiful the choreography of the fan curve, which a banner tensioned with the inscription “International Football Sports Association”.
The new adventure starts in Cyprus
Before the start of the league phase at Omonia Nikosia on Thursday (6.45 p.m.), the former skepticism was also gone among board member Christian Heidel. “When the thing was invented at some point, I didn’t understand it at all. Now we are there and understand it well”said the Mainz maker at “RTL/NTV”: “This is a very exciting competition that we look forward to.” This is something special for his club: “We know exactly what economic possibilities we have. And that’s why we are of course now enjoying Europe.”
That was very different in the past international guest performance. When the Rheinhessen started in the group phase of the Europa League against AS St. Etienne, only 20,275 spectators came. The spark didn’t want to skip properly. Against the RSC Anderlecht, the Red Klotz on the European Route was far from sold out, in the last home game against FK Qäbälä only 12,860 visitors in the ranks.
Every point helps the Bundesliga in the UEFA five-year classification
It is hardly surprising that the end station was already after the group phase. The then coach Martin Schmidt from the European Cup tours especially “Feels 100,000 earthworms” Keep in memory that crawled around during the final training on the alleged alternative place in St. Etienne. “It was just gruesome and disgusting”the Swiss, which is still integrated as a consultant in Mainz, recalls.
Hopefully the conditions have improved when Mainz starts at the University of Craiova and Lech Poznan, at home we go against Zrinjski Mostar, AC Florence and Samsunspor. What’s in? “We don’t do that to trumpet any goals in order to then become a laughing number.”said Heidel. Of course, the goal is to understand the league phase. Diligent to collect points, the Bundesliga also helps for the UEFA five-year classification, for which victories in the Conference League count as much as in the Champions League.
Blatant Take differences
England has also expanded its supremacy because this year Tottenham Hotspur The Europa League and the FC Chelsea the Conference League won. This is also remarkable because no wealth waves. Because the European Cup is financially a three-class society. In the Champions League alone, 2.5 billion euros flow to the 36 clubs alone, 565 million euros are in the Europa League, 285 million euros still remain for the Conference League.
Heidel has roughly calculated that around three million euros in the league phase initially come in, but which are eaten up again by premiums, travel and organizational costs. Unless the Mainz team fights through to Leipzig. The winner of the Conference League 2026 will not only be rewarded with prize money of seven million euros, but will also be sure to start the Europa League next season. If that’s not an incentive.