Who has won the most UEFA Europa League titles - Sevilla holds the record with seven titles

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 08 Aug 2024

Brad Newcomb 08 Aug 2024

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UEFA Europa League originated from the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1955-1971).
Sevilla holds the record with seven titles, latest in 2023.
New 36-team league format to be introduced in the 2024/25 season.

Alex Iwobi of Fulham FC during the pre-season friendly match between Sevilla and Fulham FC (Getty Images)

The UEFA Europa League annually brings together some of Europe's best teams in highly competitive matches. It has become a significant competition in its own right behind the more illustrious Champions League.

The Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was a European football competition played between clubs from cities that hosted trade fairs from 1955 to 1971 before being replaced by the UEFA Cup the following year. Tottenham Hotspur won the inaugural UEFA Cup, defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 on aggregate.

Liverpool secured the 1973 title and became the first team to win the UEFA Cup twice after defeating Club Brugge 4-3 on aggregate in 1976.

liverpool soccer — Jarell Quansah of Liverpool defends against Marcus Rashford of Manchester United during their pre-season friendly match (Getty Images)

Spanish giants Real Madrid were the first team to retain their title after winning the UEFA Cup back-to-back in 1985 and 1986, a feat later equalled by Sevilla in 2006 and 2007.

Juventus secured victories in 1977 and 1990 before becoming the first club to win the competition three times in 1993. Liverpool, Inter Milan, and Atletico Madrid have also gone on to lift the UEFA Cup trophy three times.

The 1998 final between Inter Milan and Lazio saw the introduction of a single-match decider to determine the winner instead of over two legs, with the former cruising to a 3-0 victory over the side from Rome.

The UEFA Cup was rebranded for the 2009/10 season as the Europa League, with Atletico Madrid defeating Fulham 2-1 in the final.

Chelsea defeated Benfica 2-1 in the 2013 final, becoming the first UEFA Champions League holders from the previous season to win the Europa League the following year.

Sevilla won their third title in 2014 and repeated that success the following year before becoming the first team to win the Europa League three successive times after defeating Liverpool 3-1 in the 2016 final.

Sevilla have continued to be the dominant team in the competition, winning their sixth title in 2020 and extending their record with a seventh victory after beating Roma 4-1 on penalties after the score had ended 1-1 in 2023.

For the 2024/25 season, the Europa League will have a new format, comprising a 36-team league stage. Each team will face eight different sides, playing four matches at home and four away. The top eight teams will progress directly to the round of 16. Teams finishing from ninth place to 24th will compete in a knockout round, with the winners advancing to the round of 16.

Notable goal-scoring records achieved by individuals at the UEFA Europa League since its inception:

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang holds the overall record for the most goals scored in the competition with 34.

Colombian Radamel Falcao scored the most goals in a single season, with 17 for FC Porto in 2010/11.

Below is the list of the most successful teams to have won the UEFA Europa League.