Crystal Palace embark on their first ever European final in their first continental campaign as they face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in Leipzig
Crystal Palace face Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig with Europe’s third-tier trophy on the line, as Premier League and La Liga collide in the Conference League final for the second year running on Wednesday night. Palace reached the showpiece by beating Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-finals, while Rayo saw off Strasbourg to move within one game of the first major honour in their history.
For Oliver Glasner, it is another chance to add to his European record. The Austrian guided Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League title in 2022 and now has the opportunity to deliver a landmark moment for Palace. Even with tensions reported between the manager and the club’s hierarchy in recent months, Glasner is one win from a third trophy in 12 months after FA Cup and Community Shield success in 2025.
Palace’s run has gathered momentum after an unremarkable league phase that ended with them only 10th. Since then, they have powered through the knockouts, underlining Premier League strength alongside Arsenal and Aston Villa as English clubs chase an unprecedented clean sweep of the three European trophies. Zrinjski Mostar, AEK Larnaca, Fiorentina and Shakhtar have all been dispatched, and Palace’s 25 goals in the competition — 14 of them in the knockout rounds — is the best tally in the tournament.
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Their domestic form, however, has been far less convincing. After overcoming Shakhtar, Palace went winless in their final four Premier League matches, finishing with a 2-1 defeat at champions Arsenal and ending the season in 15th.
Rayo, in contrast, have largely managed to juggle Europe with their league campaign. Iñigo Pérez’s side pushed for a top-seven finish in La Liga but missed out by a point behind Getafe in the Conference League play-off place. That makes Leipzig their only path back into Europe next season — and a chance to return to continental competition for the first time since their only previous UEFA Cup/Europa League appearance in 2000-01.
What time is Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano?
The Conference League final will kick-off at 8pm BST on Wednesday, May 20.
The final will decide who will be the second of three European winners with Aston Villa already sealing the Europa League and Arsenal in Champions League final action on Saturday.
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Crystal Palace have reached the UEFA Conference League finals where they face Rayo Vallecano on May 27. Fans can watch the game without a TNT Sports subscription by signing up to the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan via Prime Video’s HBO Max channel.
What TV channel is Crystal Palace vs Ray Vallecano on?
Fans can watch the final live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK and on HBO Max, the latter of which is available to subscribe to and watch via Amazon’s Prime Video. HBO is offering access to the final with its £4.99 Basic With Ads plan, which includes the Champions League final too.
Alternatively, BBC Radio 5 Live and eSPORTY will also carry commentary of the game for those on the move and unable to get in front of a screen.
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