By Kabiru Abdulrauf.
Spanish football fans have reason to celebrate as LaLiga has officially clinched five spots in the UEFA Champions League for the 2025/2026 season. This makes Spain the second league, after the English Premier League, to earn an extra berth through the newly introduced European Performance Spots (EPS).
The EPS system, part of UEFA’s revamp of the Champions League into a 36-team competition, rewards leagues whose clubs perform exceptionally well across all three European tournaments. England confirmed its additional spot earlier this month, and LaLiga sealed its place after Athletic Club knocked Rangers out of the Europa League and Lazio’s exit ensured Spain’s spot in the EPS top two.
With the top four in LaLiga all but locked in, the race for the crucial fifth spot intensifies. Villarreal, currently on 51 points with a game in hand, leads the charge, closely followed by Real Betis on 48. Celta Vigo and Mallorca trail by five points, leaving little margin for error as the season draws to a close.
The Premier League is witnessing a similarly fierce battle, with Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Aston Villa all jostling for the top five positions.
This expanded access promises a thrilling 2025/2026 Champions League campaign, with elite teams from both Spain and England set to dominate the European stage.
