Does European football come at a Premier League cost?

English clubs have been champions of Europe on 15 occasions, but they have only won the domestic league title in the same season five times

As European competition returns this week, almost half of the Premier League clubs have continental football to look forward to this season – but will that help or hinder their Premier League campaigns?

A record-breaking nine English sides will play European football in 2025-26 – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham in the Champions League; Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in the Europa League; and Crystal Palace in the Conference League.

But will those clubs who are not in Europe be able to capitalise on having a less hectic fixture schedule and more rest between matches?

When Leicester City shocked the footballing world to win the Premier League in 2015-16, they only played 43 games in all competitions, with no European distractions.

If an English club were to triumph in Europe this season, they would play a minimum of 55 matches – 38 in the Premier League, at least two domestic cup games and either 15 or 17 European matches, depending on whether they feature in the knockout play-off round.

So what would teams prefer? Be fresh and do well in the league or face a gruelling schedule full of regular midweek games and international travel, but with more chances of silverware?