Effective domestic scheduling can play a key role in supporting clubs’ European success. By ensuring adequate rest and manageable domestic opposition before European fixtures, leagues can enhance club performances and results, thereby improving UEFA coefficients and increasing club access to top tournaments.

Lower-ranked leagues like Bosnia, Northern Ireland, and Wales have embraced this, postponing matches to support clubs in qualifiers. This has led to historic successes, with these leagues achieving their first-ever group stage representatives in recent seasons. Among top leagues, scheduling approaches vary. For example, over the past three seasons, Italian clubs had 5+ days’ rest for just 8 of 36 (22%) Europa League and Conference League matches, while Turkish clubs had 5+ days’ rest for 16 of 36 (44%).

With UEFA coefficients at stake and the associated benefits of higher rankings, strategic scheduling is more important than ever for leagues. To learn more, read our full analysis here.