The Premier League’s Champions League bonus explained: why fifth place could matter again
The fight for Champions League qualification in the Premier League is no longer a simple dash for the top four. European expansion, coefficient calculations and a relatively new concept called European Performance Spots have added an extra layer of intrigue to the run-in.
Last season, Newcastle United benefitted from this system, sneaking into the Champions League despite finishing fifth. Now, with the table tightening and European knockout rounds approaching, English clubs are again watching events across the continent as closely as their own league results.
So how exactly do European Performance Spots work, and is the Premier League on course to benefit once more?
What are European Performance Spots and how are they decided?
European Performance Spots, often shortened to EPS, are additional Champions League qualification places awarded to the two strongest performing domestic leagues across Europe in a given season.
The calculation is handled by UEFA and is based on results across three competitions: the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League. Every win and draw contributes towards a league’s overall coefficient score.
Each victory earns two points, while a draw is worth one. Those points are then divided by the number of clubs that league has competing in Europe to produce an average score. It is this average that determines the EPS rankings, not the raw total.
England currently has nine clubs competing across the three competitions, giving it a coefficient score of 121.375 and an average of 13.486.
The crucial twist comes with bonus points. Clubs earn additional points for finishing positions in league phases and for progressing through knockout rounds, with Champions League bonuses significantly outweighing those available in the Europa League and Conference League.
As a striking example, clubs finishing between 25th and 36th in the Champions League league phase receive six bonus points, even though they are eliminated. That is more than the four bonus points earned by Strasbourg, who finished top of the Conference League table.
Why Champions League depth matters more than volume
Because bonus points are weighted so heavily towards the Champions League, leagues with multiple clubs competing at the highest level hold a major advantage. This is why the EPS race is effectively restricted to Europe’s traditional powerhouses.
At present, Poland sit top of the EPS table, but all four of their clubs have competed exclusively in the Conference League. With one already eliminated and that competition’s league phase complete, Poland will not earn further points in January and are expected to fall rapidly.
This dynamic makes it almost impossible for a league outside the so-called top five to secure an EPS. Champions League participation is simply too influential.
England’s position in the EPS race
The Premier League currently sits second in the EPS standings, holding a 1.201-point advantage over Germany. In practical terms, that margin equates to roughly four wins and a draw for Bundesliga clubs.
However, England’s position comes with a caveat. With nine clubs in Europe compared to Germany’s seven, each English win is diluted more when calculating the average. This means England needs to keep as many clubs alive as possible, while hoping rivals suffer exits.
The outlook is encouraging. Eight English clubs are expected to progress into either the Champions League or Europa League knockout stages. Crystal Palace have already secured a place in the Conference League knockout play-off round.
Germany, by contrast, could lose both Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt from the Champions League, a scenario that would significantly strengthen England’s grip on an EPS place.
Cyprus briefly threatened to disrupt the picture but are not realistic contenders. With only three active clubs remaining and Pafos at risk of Champions League elimination, their challenge is likely to fade.
How far behind are Europe’s other major leagues?
Italy and Spain remain the most credible threats to England’s EPS hopes, but both face substantial deficits.
Italy trail the Premier League by the equivalent of eight wins. Juventus and Napoli have struggled in the Champions League this season, although they should still ensure Italy maintains a full set of clubs in the knockout rounds.
Spain’s task is even tougher. They require nine wins and a draw to close the gap. While Spain have eight clubs competing, they are likely to lose Villarreal from the Champions League. Athletic Club could also drop out, while Celta Vigo face an uncertain path in the Europa League.
The gap is significant, but not insurmountable. If English clubs were to suffer a series of poor results in knockout play-off rounds and last-16 ties, the numbers could begin to shift quickly. European results compound fast, particularly once bonus points come into play.
For now, England remain favourites, but the margin for error is smaller than it appears.
What this means for the Premier League table
The EPS equation has a direct impact on the domestic race for Champions League places. If England secure one of the two available EPS, fifth place in the Premier League will again be rewarded with Champions League qualification.
At the top, Arsenal lead the way on 50 points, with Manchester City and Aston Villa both on 43, creating a clear top three.
Behind them, Liverpool sit fourth on 36 points. As things stand, the additional Champions League place would belong to Manchester United, who are fifth with 35 points.
The congestion further down the table is striking. Just five points separate United in fifth from Brighton & Hove Albion in 12th. That cluster sets the stage for a secondary battle that could rival the title race for drama.
Clubs who may previously have viewed fifth as a consolation prize now have every reason to believe it could unlock Europe’s top competition. The financial and sporting implications are enormous, particularly for sides on the edge of the elite.
Why the race is far from settled
While the signs are positive for the Premier League, complacency would be dangerous. Knockout football is unforgiving, and a handful of poor nights in Europe could swing the EPS table rapidly.
Germany, Italy and Spain will all be watching closely, hoping English clubs slip up. The margins are thin, and the stakes could not be higher.
For now, the Premier League is in pole position. Whether fifth place becomes a Champions League ticket once again will depend not just on domestic form, but on how English clubs handle the pressure of Europe’s biggest stages over the coming weeks.
One thing is certain. The race for Champions League football has never been more complex, or more compelling.