UEFA Europa League Winners: Full List & History
The UEFA Europa League, the second-tier competition of European club football, boasts a rich history filled with dramatic moments, unexpected triumphs, and legendary players.1 From its origins as the UEFA Cup in 1971 to its modern-day format, the tournament has provided a platform for clubs across Europe to compete for continental glory.2 This article dives deep into the history of the competition, providing a comprehensive list of winners and exploring some of the most memorable moments along the way.
Early Days: The UEFA Cup (1971-2009)
The UEFA Cup was introduced in 1971 as the successor to the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.3 Initially, the competition followed a two-legged knockout format, culminating in a two-legged final. English clubs dominated the early years, with Tottenham Hotspur winning the inaugural edition in 1972 and Liverpool claiming victory in 1973 and 1976.
The tournament gradually grew in stature, attracting some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Giants like Juventus, Inter Milan, and Borussia Mönchengladbach all tasted success in the UEFA Cup. Notable winners from this era include:
- Real Madrid (1985, 1986): The Spanish giants secured back-to-back titles, showcasing their dominance on the European stage.4
- IFK Göteborg (1982, 1987): The Swedish side emerged as a surprise package, winning the competition twice in five years.
- Parma (1995, 1999): The Italian club enjoyed a period of success in the late 90s, lifting the trophy twice with a talented squad featuring the likes of Hernán Crespo and Fabio Cannavaro.
A New Era: The UEFA Europa League (2009-Present)
In 2009, UEFA rebranded the competition as the UEFA Europa League.5 The format was tweaked to include a group stage and a single-legged final. This change aimed to increase the tournament’s prestige and competitiveness.
The first Europa League final saw Atlético Madrid defeat Fulham in extra time, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the competition’s history. Since then, the Europa League has witnessed a number of memorable moments and produced some worthy champions:
- Sevilla (2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2023): The Spanish club has established itself as the undisputed kings of the Europa League, winning the competition a record seven times.6 Their dominance in the tournament is unparalleled.
- Chelsea (2013, 2019): The London club has lifted the trophy twice, showcasing their strength in European competitions.
- Manchester United (2017): José Mourinho guided the Red Devils to Europa League glory, securing a place in the following season’s Champions League.7
The UEFA Europa League Winners: A Full List
Here’s a complete list of all UEFA Europa League and UEFA Cup winners:
(1971-1997: Two-legged Finals)
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1971-72 | Tottenham Hotspur | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| 1972-73 | Liverpool | Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| 1973-74 | Feyenoord | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 1974-75 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | Twente |
| 1975-76 | Liverpool | Club Brugge |
| 1976-77 | Juventus | Athletic Bilbao |
| 1977-78 | PSV Eindhoven | Bastia |
| 1978-79 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | Red Star Belgrade |
| 1979-80 | Eintracht Frankfurt | Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| 1980-81 | Ipswich Town | AZ |
| 1981-82 | IFK Göteborg | Hamburger SV |
| 1982-83 | Anderlecht | Benfica |
| 1983-84 | Tottenham Hotspur | Anderlecht |
| 1984-85 | Real Madrid | Videoton |
| 1985-86 | Real Madrid | 1. FC Köln |
| 1986-87 | IFK Göteborg | Dundee United |
| 1987-88 | Bayer Leverkusen | Espanyol |
| 1988-89 | Napoli | VfB Stuttgart |
| 1989-90 | Juventus | Fiorentina |
| 1990-91 | Inter Milan8 | Roma |
| 1991-92 | Ajax | Torino |
| 1992-93 | Juventus | Borussia Dortmund |
| 1993-94 | Inter Milan | Austria Salzburg |
| 1994-95 | Parma | Juventus |
| 1995-96 | Bayern Munich | Bordeaux |
| 1996-97 | Schalke 04 | Inter Milan9 |
(1997-2009: Single-legged Finals)
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1997-98 | Inter Milan | Lazio |
| 1998-99 | Parma | Marseille |
| 1999-00 | Galatasaray | Arsenal |
| 2000-01 | Liverpool | Deportivo Alavés |
| 2001-02 | Feyenoord | Borussia Dortmund |
| 2002-03 | Porto | Celtic |
| 2003-04 | Valencia | Marseille |
| 2004-05 | CSKA Moscow | Sporting CP |
| 2005-06 | Sevilla | Middlesbrough |
| 2006-07 | Sevilla | Espanyol |
| 2007-08 | Zenit Saint Petersburg | Rangers |
| 2008-09 | Shakhtar Donetsk | Werder Bremen10 |
(2009-Present: UEFA Europa League)
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | Atlético Madrid | Fulham |
| 2010-11 | Porto | Braga |
| 2011-12 | Atlético Madrid | Athletic Bilbao |
| 2012-13 | Chelsea | Benfica |
| 2013-14 | Sevilla | Benfica |
| 2014-15 | Sevilla | Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk |
| 2015-16 | Sevilla | Liverpool |
| 2016-17 | Manchester United | Ajax |
| 2017-18 | Atlético11 Madrid | Marseille |
| 2018-19 | Chelsea | Arsenal |
| 2019-20 | Sevilla | Inter Milan |
| 2020-21 | Villarreal | Manchester United |
| 2021-22 | Eintracht Frankfurt | Rangers |
| 2022-23 | Sevilla12 | Roma |
The Future of the Europa League
The UEFA Europa League continues to evolve, attracting a global audience and providing thrilling entertainment for football fans. With its rich history and exciting format, the competition is set to remain a prominent fixture in the European football calendar for years to come. As new challengers emerge and established giants seek to add to their trophy cabinets, the quest for Europa League glory promises to deliver even more unforgettable moments in the future.
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