Looking ahead to the 2024/2025 season, Chelsea is gearing up for an early kickoff after clinching a spot in the Europa Conference League.
The Blues narrowly missed out on a place in the Europa League when Manchester United emerged victorious over Manchester City in a thrilling 2-1 encounter during last season’s FA Cup final.
Securing the win catapulted the Red Devils into Europa League qualification despite finishing eighth in the Premier League.
Chelsea is set to make their entrance into the Conference League at the play-off round stage.
Under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, the team will engage in a two-legged showdown to secure a berth in the league stage.
Their opposition will be determined by the outcome of the Europa Conference League third-qualifying round matches featuring:
Botev Plovdid (BUL) or Zrinjski Mostar (BOS)
Maribor (SVN) or Vojvodina (SRB)
Ruzomberok (SVK) or Hajduk Split (CRO)
Osijek (CRO) or Zira (AZE)
Spartak Trnava (SVK) or Wisla Krakow (POL)
Ararat-Armenia (ARM) or Puskas Akadenua (HUN)
Kilmarnock (SCO) or Tromso (NOR)
St Mirren (SCO) or Brann (NOR)
St Gallen (SUI) or Slask Wroclaw (POL)
Auda (LAT) or Drita (KOS)
Hacken (SWE) or Paide Linnameeskond (EST)
CSKA 1948 (BUL) or Pafos (CYP)
Paks (HUN) or Mornar (MNE)
St Patrick’s Athletic (IRE) or Sabah (AZE)
The Europa League third-qualifying round’s losing side will also be part of the mix:
Braga (POR) or Servette (SUI)
Partizan Belgrade (SRB) or Lugano (SUI)
Panathinaikos (GRE) or Ajax (NED)
Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih (UKR) or Viktoria Plzen (CZE)
Rijeka (CRO) or Elfsborg (SWE)
The draw to determine the play-off round fixtures for the Europa Conference League is scheduled for August 5 at 1 pm, with the two matches set to take place on August 22 and 29.
On August 30, the draw for the league phase will be conducted.