2026 Conference League Final: Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano Are Chasing History

UEFA is once again staging the pinnacle fixture of European Competition following the conclusion of the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League which was won by Aston Villa. Football supporters' attention is now fully focused on the Conference League final, where English representative Crystal Palace will face off against Spanish club Rayo Vallecano.

The final match is scheduled to kick off at 02.00 WIB on early Thursday morning, 28 May, at the Red Bull Arena Leipzig. Both sides are competing to write brand new history in European football.

Crystal Palace advanced to the final with convincing form, having knocked out Shakhtar Donetsk via a dominant 6-2 aggregate scoreline at the semi-final stage. 

On the opposing side, Rayo Vallecano booked their place in the final after overcoming Strasbourg Alsace with a 2-0 aggregate win.

For Palace head coach Oliver Glasner, this fixture is about far more than just claiming silverware. The Austrian tactician is looking to conclude his tenure with The Eagles by delivering a European title that will stand forever in the club's history books.

"The players put together a beautiful farewell for me yesterday, and I shared some words with them afterwards. For me, the very best possible outcome is of course winning tomorrow's match. But this is not just about victory -- this is so they can compete in the Europa League next season, and claim the reward that this group deserved this year," stated Glasner.

The Conference League trophy also holds critical value for Crystal Palace, as victory will secure their qualification for next season's Europa League. This opportunity is especially precious after Palace failed to reach European Qualification positions in the final English Premier League Standings.

Glasner is no stranger to the big European stage. He previously led Eintracht Frankfurt to lift the Europa League trophy in the 2021/2022 season, defeating Rangers after a dramatic penalty shootout.

Should his side overcome Rayo Vallecano, this Conference League title will be Glasner's third honour with Crystal Palace, having already delivered the FA Cup and Community Shield during his spell.

"I told them I want to sit and watch them on television next season, starting their Europa League campaign with that same fire and belief that they can go on and win that too. That would make me happier than anything. I know we have built a strong shared mentality here, and that foundation will carry all of them to success eventually," he added.

Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano head coach Iñigo Pérez is hoping his side's incredible surprise run across Europe this season can be sealed with a perfect conclusion.

Despite only beginning his senior coaching career a few years prior, Pérez has successfully guided Rayo to compete consistently at a high level all the way through to the final.

"This final step is right here, right now in Leipzig. All we wish for is that our story gets the happy ending it deserves," said the 38-year-old Spanish coach.