European Aquatics has introduced its new, fourth competition for clubs, called the Conference Cup, which will start in the 2025/26 season.
This competition will be open to clubs from all European nations, but some countries will be allowed to enter more than one club.
At the same time, the number of participating clubs in the Men’s Champions League and Euro Cup qualifications will be reduced.
Previously, nations ranked 1st to 11th in the European Aquatics Men’s Clubs Country Ranking could enter up to three clubs into the Champions League (the national champions were directly qualified for the Group Stage, others played in the qualifications). Starting from the upcoming season, federations ranked 1st to 10th may submit entries for their top two clubs, while nations ranked 11th and 12th can enter their national champions. The latter two clubs can refuse to participate in the Champions League in favor of the Euro Cup.
Clubs from nations ranked lower than 12th place will no longer be allowed to participate in Champions League qualifications.
The winners of the national championships from the top 10 countries and the winner of the previous Champions League edition will automatically qualify for the Champions League Group Stage, which consists of four groups of four teams. The competition formula hasn’t been changed. All other clubs that enter will compete in the qualification rounds. The previous season’s Euro Cup winner has the option to participate in either the Champions League qualifications or the Euro Cup.
Regarding the Euro Cup, nations ranked 1st to 10th can enter up to two teams: the 3rd-placed and 4th-placed teams in their national leagues. In the previous two seasons, the 4th, 5th, and 6th-placed teams from the top 11 countries were eligible for the Euro Cup qualifications. Federations ranked 11th and 12th in the Men’s Clubs Country Ranking may enter two clubs. The clubs that did not qualify for the Champions League Group Stage or Quarterfinal Stage will be “dropped” to the Euro Cup. The previous season’s Conference Cup winner can choose whether to compete in the Challenger Cup or the Euro Cup.
The number of women’s teams in the Champions League and the Euro Cup has been slightly changed.
Now, let’s see which teams will play in the Conference Cup.
Men’s Conference Cup, Participating teams
- The top 10 nations in the Men’s Clubs Country ranking may submit the clubs that finished in 5th and 6th place in their national leagues.
- Federations ranked 11th and 12th in the Men’s Clubs Country ranking may submit entries for the teams that finished in 3rd, 4th, and 5th place in their national championships.
- The champions of the nations that are ranked 13th and lower in the Men’s Clubs Country. These clubs can refuse to participate in the Conference Cup Men in favor of the Challenger Cup Men.
- The previous season’s Challenger Cup winner, if it doesn’t want to play in the Challenger Cup
- The clubs that did not qualify for the Euro Cup Men’s Group Stage competition, excluding the Clubs that played in the Champions League Qualification Round.
All participating clubs will start in Qualification Round 1, which will be followed by Qualification Round 2, Quarterfinals, and the Final Four.
The number of groups in the qualifications will be determined according to the number of participating clubs.
Participating teams in the Women’s Conference Cup
- The teams that finished 7th and 8th in the national championships of the countries that are in the positions 1st to 4th in the Women’s Clubs Country Ranking.
- The clubs that finished 5th and 6th in the championships of the nations positioned 5th and 6th in the Clubs Country Ranking.
- The clubs that finished 2nd and 3rd in the countries positioned from 7th to 12th place in the Clubs Country ranking
- The champions of the countries positioned in 13th and lower places in the Clubs Country Ranking
- The previous season’s Challenger Cup winner has the right to choose to play if it wants.
- The clubs that did not qualify for the Euro Cup Women’s Group stage competition, excluding the Clubs that played in the Champions League Qualification round.
The competition will have three stages: Qualification Round 1, Qualification Round 2, and the Final Eight.
