List of all UEFA Europa League winners in history

UEFA Europa League used to be regarded as the bottom tier of continental competition in Europe. But after the introduction of the UEFA Europa Conference League at the start of the 2021-22 season, the Europa League became the second tier of European club football, with the Champion League claiming the first spot and UECL in third.

One thing football fans may not know about is the long history of the UEFA Europa League. Initially known as the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup from 1955 to 1971 and later the UEFA Cup from 1971 to 2009, the Europa League has a very rich and long history.

Surprisingly, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur won the first edition of the inaugural edition of the UEFA Cup. English clubs enjoyed early success in the competition, as alongside Spurs, Liverpool lifted the trophy in the 1972-73 and 1975-76 seasons.

While one of the biggest clubs in the world, Real Madrid won two successive UEFA Cups in the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons.

Over the years, the European League has also witnessed successive dominance from one team, just like Real Madrid’s historic three-peat of the UEFA Champions League, Sevilla managed a historic three-peat in the UEFA Europa League between 2013 and 2016. Some of the most followed clubs around the world like Manchester United, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have won the UEFA Europa League.

The Europa League trophy is the heaviest of all UEFA trophies and one of the heaviest trophies in the world of football, weighing 15 kilograms. While the UEL may be the second tier of European club football, but it has given the clubs who can't make it to the UCL a chance at winning European silverware and the fans another great competition to enjoy every season.

A look at some of the UEFA Europa League records

LaLiga side Sevilla currently hold the record for the most Europa League titles to their name with seven triumphs. While Liverpool, Juventus, Inter Milan and Atletico de Madrid are all tied in the second spot with three titles each.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (34 goals) is the all-time top scorer in the Europa League (from group stage to final). At the same time, Henrik Larsson (40 goals) holds the record if you also include the qualifying matches.

Radamel Falcao holds the record for the most goals recorded in a single edition with 17 goals. Aritz Aduriz has the record for the most goals in a single match with five goals. While Jose Antonio Reyes has won a record five Europa League titles. 
 

UEFA Cup all-winners list (Two-legged format)

The UEFA Europa League format has seen plenty of changes over the years. From 1971 to 1997, the finals were held over two legs. While sides like Juventus in the 1976-77 season and Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1979-80 season lifted the trophy after winning on away goals rule.

UEFA Cup all-winners list (single-match final format)

From 1971 till 1997, all the finals were played over two legs. This changed in the 1997-98 season, as it marked the first season with the final being contested in just one single match. Inter Milan lifted the trophy in the first season with the single-match final format.
 

UEFA Europa League all-winners list

From the 2008-09 season, the UEFA Cup was renamed as the UEFA Europa League and a somewhat new format was introduced, LaLiga side Atletico Madrid won the first edition of the new UEFA Europa League, beating Fulham in the final.

Serie A side Atalanta BC won the recent edition of the Europa League, beating Xabi Alonso’s Bayern Leverkusen 3-0 in the final.