La Liga Officially Secures Fifth Champions League Spot as Villarreal and Betis Battle for Place

 
La Liga has officially secured a fifth Champions League spot for the 2025/26 season, following a successful night in Europe for Athletic Club and Real Betis. With Villarreal currently leading the race for fifth place, the battle for European qualification in Spain is heating up as more teams eye their chance on the biggest stage in European football.

Villareal celebrating victory

La Liga enjoyed a hugely successful night in European competition on Thursday, and that momentum has now translated into a major boost for Spanish football. With strong results from Athletic Club and Real Betis, and following Lazio's elimination in the UEFA Conference League, it has been officially confirmed that Spain will have five clubs in the UEFA Champions League next season.

The change comes under UEFA’s new Champions League format, which allocates an additional spot to the top two leagues in the European coefficient rankings. The Premier League had already secured their extra place earlier in the week, and now La Liga joins them, as confirmed by Relevo.

This development is especially significant for Villarreal and Real Betis, who are currently locked in a tight battle for fifth place in the La Liga table. With the top five now earning Champions League qualification, the stakes are higher than ever.

At present, it’s Villarreal, also known as the Yellow Submarine, who hold the upper hand. Their 2-1 victory over Betis at the Benito Villamarín Stadium last weekend moved them three points ahead in the race, and they still have a game in hand. However, with several fixtures remaining, nothing is yet guaranteed.

Just behind them are Celta Vigo and Mallorca, both still in the mix but trailing slightly as the race for European spots intensifies.

In total, La Liga will now have eight clubs competing in European competitions next season. Alongside the top five heading to the Champions League:

• Sixth and seventh place will qualify for the Europa League—currently held by Betis and Celta.

• Eighth place, currently Mallorca, will earn a ticket to the UEFA Conference League.

This is a major win for Spanish football and highlights the strength and consistency of La Liga sides across European competitions this season. With several teams still fighting for position, the final weeks of the campaign promise to deliver intense action and high drama.