The UEFA Europa League, commonly known as the Europa League or UEL, is UEFA’s second-tier annual continental club football competition in Europe. Established in 1971 as the UEFA Cup and rebranded in 2009, the tournament features a group stage followed by knockout rounds contested by qualifying teams from domestic leagues and cup competitions across the continent. Sitting below the UEFA Champions League in prestige, it culminates each season with a final in May to determine the champion.