Eredivisie secures sixth place in the UEFA rankings!

The Netherlands has held onto sixth place in the UEFA rankings for several seasons, but the battle with Portugal and Belgium remained intense. Thanks to strong European performances from Eredivisie clubs and Benfica’s elimination, the Netherlands can no longer be overtaken. This ensures that the current distribution of European tickets remains unchanged.

In addition to two direct Champions League spots, the third-placed Eredivisie team enters the tournament’s qualifying rounds. The fourth-placed team joins the Europa League qualifiers, while the fifth-place finisher does the same in the Conference League. Additionally, the winner of the TOTO KNVB Cup qualifies directly for the Europa League.

Securing sixth place is the result of several strong seasons in Europe. Eredivisie clubs have collectively contributed to earning coefficient points—such as rescheduling league matches for teams competing in Europe—allowing the Netherlands to maintain its position among Europe’s top leagues. This highlights the importance of European success for the league as a whole.

Jan de Jong, CEO of Eredivisie CV: “Holding onto sixth place in Europe is a top priority for all Eredivisie clubs. It’s a shared goal that all 18 clubs fully support, which is quite unique. That’s why everyone is actively working toward it, and now we’re seeing the results. This success is truly thanks to the collective effort of all 18 clubs. We all play on grass, and European teams receive as much support as possible. Dropping one or two places could mean a loss of around €80 million per year. In an extremely competitive European market, a small country like ours simply cannot afford that!"

Securing sixth place has ensured the Netherlands' position in Europe for now, but the focus must now shift to the future. At the end of the 2025/26 season, the points from the exceptionally successful 2021/22 season will no longer count in the UEFA rankings. This means that Dutch clubs will need to deliver top performances in the coming years to hold onto sixth place and avoid being overtaken by countries like Portugal and Belgium.

The Eredivisie has proven itself as a league that matters in Europe, but maintaining this status requires a collective effort. The challenge is clear: consistent success in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. Only by doing so can the Netherlands remain among Europe’s elite and perhaps even take the next step toward breaking into the top five!