How qualifying for Europe works in the Bundesliga

With Germany in the top four of UEFA's member association club coefficients, the Bundesliga's top four are all assured a berth in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League as part of a revamp of the competition from 2018.

As a result, there is no longer a play-off to navigate in August, and no risk of dropping into the UEFA Europa League after a top-four finish.

Furthermore, there is the possibility of five Bundesliga clubs qualifying for the following year's competition. If a Bundesliga club were to win the Champions League or Europa League – and finish outside the top four domestically – they will also automatically go into the following season's Champions League.

Europa League access

The sides finishing fifth and sixth in the Bundesliga standings, in addition to the DFB Cup winners, will gain access to the Europa League.

Should the DFB Cup winners have already qualified for Europe via their league position, seventh place in the Bundesliga would consequently earn a place in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. This would instead be the entry point for the side finishing sixth, should the DFB Cup winner not finish inside the top six.

Seven Bundesliga clubs will, therefore, participate in European club competitions, with four guaranteed in the group stages of the Champions League, two straight into the Europa League group stage and just one, therefore, needing to come through three qualifying rounds to join them.