Begin with the shared table
Conference League clubs are ranked together despite facing only six opponents each. A pair of clubs level on points may not have played each other at all. UEFA’s Article 18 therefore sets a league-phase ranking procedure rather than relying first on the familiar head-to-head comparison from older group-stage formats.
Read the opening criteria in order
The current regulations start with overall league-phase goal difference, then goals scored and away goals scored. Wins and away wins come after those. When two clubs appear close in a television graphic, inspect the relevant total rather than selecting whichever isolated result seems most memorable. An away-goals total in this ranking list is not the old away-goals rule for deciding a two-leg knockout tie.
Opponent records can become relevant
If the early criteria do not separate clubs, the procedure goes on to collective records of their league-phase opponents, before disciplinary points and the club coefficient. This helps explain why the ranking can depend on results elsewhere in the table. A supporter cannot always settle a provisional position by checking only the tied clubs’ own scores.
Keep a live graphic provisional
Article 18 defines the order used when the league-phase matches are complete. During the final round, unfinished matches can still change the inputs. Use the official completed table for the final outcome and label any calculation made while matches are running as provisional. The rules explain the ranking; they do not predict a result or establish access to a broadcast.
Questions, answered
Are away goals a Conference League league-phase ranking factor?
Yes. UEFA’s 2026/27 list includes away goals scored after overall goal difference and goals scored. That is distinct from deciding a knockout tie.
Can other clubs’ results affect a tie in the table?
Yes. If the earlier criteria do not separate clubs, UEFA includes collective records of the opponents they faced.