Inter and Paris Saint-Germain will face off in the Champions League final in Munich on 31 May, but both clubs have already secured qualification for next season’s competition through their respective league finishes. This raises the question: who will claim the spot reserved for the winner of the 2024/25 Champions League?
UEFA regulations dictate that this place is awarded based on the individual club coefficient, which measures performance in European competitions over the past five seasons. The berth is allocated to the domestic champion with the highest coefficient among those from federations ranked 11th to 55th in UEFA’s association rankings. (Champions from federations ranked 1st to 10th automatically qualify, regardless.)
Last year, Shakhtar Donetsk were the first beneficiaries of this rule. For the upcoming season, Olympiacos, champions of Greece, are currently best positioned to take advantage, boasting the highest coefficient among all champions of leagues ranked 11th to 55th.
Here are the top five coefficients among current league leaders from those eligible federations:
- Olympiacos (Greece) – 56.500 (champions)
- Bodø/Glimt (Norway) – 49.000 (champions)
- Crvena Zvezda / Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) – 44.000 (champions)
- Ferencváros (Hungary) – 39.000
- Celtic (Scotland) – 38.000
However, the Greek champions’ spot may still be under threat. Scottish side Rangers, currently second in their domestic league, possess a significantly higher coefficient and could overtake Celtic to clinch the league title—and the bonus Champions League place.
Here are the top ten individual coefficients among all relevant clubs:
- Rangers (Scotland) – 71.250 (2nd in league)
- Olympiacos (Greece) – 56.500 (champions)
- GNK Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) – 56.000 (3rd)
- Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) – 52.000 (3rd)
- Bodø/Glimt (Norway) – 49.000 (champions)
As the final matches of the season approach, Olympiacos remain in pole position to benefit from Inter and PSG’s already-secured qualification. However, all eyes will be on the Scottish Premiership title race to see if Rangers can snatch both the domestic crown and the European reward that comes with it.
