<P> In 2009--10 season, the competition was rebranded as the UEFA Europa League in a bid to increase the competition's profile . An extra 8 teams now qualify for the group stage consisting of 12 groups with four teams each (in a double round robin), with teams finished on the top two place in each group progressing . The competition then progresses in much the same way as the previous format, with four rounds of two - legged knockout rounds and a one - off final held at a neutral ground that meets UEFA's Category Four stadium criteria . The final is played in May, on the Wednesday ten days before the Champions League final . </P> <P> Qualification has changed significantly . Associations ranked 7--9 in the UEFA coefficients sent the cup winners and three (two since 2015--16 season) other teams to the UEFA Europa League qualification, all other nations sent a Cup winners and two other teams, except Andorra and San Marino, who sent only a Cup winner and a runner - up, and Liechtenstein, who sent only a Cup winner . Since Gibraltar was accepted as a full UEFA member at the UEFA congress held in London on 24 May 2013, their Cup winner also qualified for Europa League . Usually, the other teams will be the next highest ranked clubs in each domestic league after those qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, however France and England will continue to use one spot for their League Cup winner . With the abolition of the Intertoto Cup, all participants of Europa League are qualified through domestic routes . Generally, the higher an association is ranked in the UEFA coefficients, the later its clubs start in the qualification . However, every team except for the title - holder (up to 2014--15 season) and the highest ranked teams (usually the cup winner and / or the best Europa League qualified team) from the top (six in 2012--15 seasons, 12 since 2015--16 season) associations had to play at least one qualification round . </P> <P> Apart from the teams mentioned, an additional 15 teams eliminated in the Champions League third qualifying round are transferred to the Europa League play - off round, and the 10 losing teams in the Champions League play - off round are transferred to the Europa League group stage . The 12 winners and the 12 runners - up in the group stage advanced to the knock out round, together with eight third - placed teams from the Champions League group stage . </P> <P> In 2014, the distribution was changed to broaden the appeal of the competition, namely through giving the Europa League champions a Champions League qualification berth, which is always used ever since . More teams automatically qualify for the group stage . If cup winners already qualified for European competition through league performance, their place through league is vacated and goes to the best ranked teams not qualified for European competition, This means that the cup runners - up is no longer qualified through the cup route . These rules comes to effect from 2015--16 season . </P>

What is the significance of winning the europa league