The Europa League was rebranded from the UEFA Cup in 2009 and has grown significantly in profile since. Winning the Europa League now guarantees entry into the following season's Champions League, greatly increasing the prize's value for competing clubs.

The competition features clubs that finish in the top leagues below the Champions League qualifying spots, as well as clubs eliminated from Champions League qualifying rounds. English clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all won the competition in recent years.

The 2021 final between Villarreal and Manchester United, decided on penalties after a 1-1 draw, was watched by an estimated 161 million people globally. The competition provides valuable European experience for clubs and players who might not otherwise compete at the highest continental level.