UEFA confirmed a significant change to one of its prestigious football competitions. The UEFA Europa Conference League, currently in its inaugural season, will undergo a rebranding and be known as the UEFA Conference League starting from the 2024-25 season.
The decision was made during the UEFA Executive Committee meeting held at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
UEFA explained that extensive research conducted among fans and commercial partners revealed that removing the term “Europa” from the competition’s name would facilitate its further development as an independent tournament. The proposal to rename the competition was subsequently approved by the UEFA Executive Committee. The transition to the new name is expected to enhance the individual identity of the UEFA Conference League and contribute to its growth and popularity among football enthusiasts.
European football’s governing body emphasized that the UEFA Conference League, alongside the well-established UEFA Europa League, will continue to provide fans across Europe and beyond with thrilling matches on Thursday nights. This ensures that the excitement and passion associated with European club football will remain accessible to a wide audience.
Furthermore, the UEFA Executive Committee announced the chosen venues for the UEFA Europa Conference League finals in 2024 and 2025. The Agia Sofia Stadium in Athens, home to AEK, will host the 2024 final, while the Stadion Wrocław, belonging to WKS Slask Wroclaw, will be the venue for the 2025 final. These decisions reflect UEFA’s commitment to selecting iconic stadiums with a rich footballing heritage to showcase the culmination of the tournament.
In addition to the renaming and final venue announcements, UEFA revealed that the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, the home ground of Sporting Clube de Portugal, has been designated as the host stadium for the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final in 2025. This decision reinforces UEFA’s dedication to promoting women’s football and providing a platform for the highest level of competition in the women’s game.
As UEFA looks ahead to the future, these strategic decisions demonstrate the organization’s commitment to evolving and enhancing the European football landscape. The renaming of the UEFA Europa Conference League to the UEFA Conference League aims to establish a distinct identity for the competition, while the selection of prestigious venues for future finals and the appointment of Lisbon for the Women’s Champions League Final further solidify UEFA’s position as a leader in the world of football.
With these developments, football enthusiasts can eagerly anticipate the thrilling matches and intense rivalries that the UEFA Conference League will bring, providing a new dimension to the European football calendar from the 2024-25 season onwards.
