[The Athletic] The Premier League ‘top four’ is dead – long live the ‘top 11’

Explaining UEFA's new rules on European qualification and how the Premier League could have 11 teams in European action next season

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• For the first time, five Premier League teams will qualify for the Champions League through their league position. More could join them by winning a UEFA competition.

• There will be 36 teams in the Champions League from 2024-25, an increase of four. The tournament structure is changing to a 'Swiss model' league.

• The two best performing countries in Europe get extra Champions League spots. England has a good chance of earning a fifth spot.

• Eight Premier League teams are playing in Europe this season, which could help England's coefficient ranking.

• Theoretically seven Premier League teams could reach the Champions League. Five qualify through league position, plus the Champions League and Europa League winners if they finish outside the top five.

• Up to 11 English teams could play in Europe overall next season - seven in the Champions League, three in the Europa League, one in the Europa Conference League.

Here is a theoretical possibility: