Crystal Palace F.C. in European football
Crystal Palace won their first European title in 2026.
Crystal Palace, from Selhurst in South London, has made three appearances in UEFA competitions. Their European journey began with the 1998 Intertoto Cup, followed by the 2025–26 Conference League and the 2026–27 Europa League. The club secured its first European trophy by beating Rayo Vallecano 1–0 in the 2026 Conference League final. They have also taken part in the Anglo-Italian Cup.
Quick Facts
- Continent
- Europe
- Club
- Crystal Palace
- Seasons played
- 3
- Most capped player
- Maxence Lacroix (16)
- Top scorer
- Ismaïla Sarr (9)
- First entry
- 1998 UEFA Intertoto Cup
- Last entry
- 2026–27 UEFA Europa League
Facts from the source article.
History
At the end of the 1997–98 FA Premier League season, Crystal Palace finished 20th and last, being relegated to the First Division. Despite that league position, the club qualified for its first European competition through the 1998 UEFA Intertoto Cup. This competition was poorly regarded in England, partly due to disruption to pre-season schedules and enmity over UEFA's punishment of Tottenham Hotspur and Wimbledon for fielding weakened sides in 1995.
Having not participated for two years, 1998 was the first return for English clubs, with Crystal Palace the only one to apply. In 2025, Crystal Palace won their first major trophy by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, earning a place in the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League. However, majority owner John Textor also owned French club Lyon, which had also qualified for the Europa League, potentially breaching UEFA's multi-club ownership rules.
Despite Textor selling his stake, Crystal Palace were forced to relinquish their Europa League place to Nottingham Forest, swapping competitions. Palace reached the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League final and won 1–0 against Rayo Vallecano for their first European title. That victory qualified them for the following season's UEFA Europa League via the Conference League winners' spot.
More in English Football Clubs in International Competitions
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