Brighton secure return to Europe with UEFA Conference League qualification
Brighton and Hove Albion will return to European competition next season after securing a place in the UEFA Conference League following the final day of the Premier League season.
Despite suffering defeat to Manchester United at the Amex Stadium, results elsewhere confirmed Fabian Hürzeler’s side would finish eighth and claim England’s Conference League spot.
Chelsea’s defeat at Sunderland and Brentford’s failure to win at Liverpool proved decisive as Albion held onto their European position.
It marks another significant milestone in Brighton’s recent rise, with the Seagulls now qualifying for Europe for the second time in four seasons. Their previous continental adventure came in the Europa League during the 2023-24 campaign, when they reached the knockout stages.
Albion had entered the final day with hopes of snatching a Europa League berth, but Bournemouth and Sunderland ultimately claimed those positions instead.
Even so, Conference League qualification represents another impressive achievement for a club that continues to outperform expectations and compete with sides possessing significantly larger budgets.
Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler acknowledged throughout the season that his side were “punching above their weight”, and European football now gives supporters another campaign of continental nights at the Amex Stadium to look forward to.
There is also the possibility of extra intrigue in next season’s competition. If Crystal Palace win the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano later this week, the Eagles would qualify for the Europa League, potentially giving England nine clubs in European competition next season.