Villarreal have booked their place in the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 after a commanding 5-1 win over Levante at the Estadio de la Cerámica. They only needed a point, but Georges Mikautadze struck twice, with Alberto Moleiro, Tajon Buchanan and Nico Pepe also on target.
El Periódico Mediterráneo reports that next season will be their sixth campaign in the competition’s main phase, after 2005/06, 2008/09, 2011/12, 2021/22 and 2025/26, and the first time they have qualified in back-to-back years.
Their European story has swung between highs and hard lessons. They reached the semi-finals in 2005/06, the quarter-finals in 2008/09, suffered a group-stage exit in 2011/12 during a season that ended in relegation, returned to the last four in 2021/22 against Liverpool, then endured a poor 2025/26, taking one point with seven defeats.
This season has been defined by consistency in LaLiga. Villarreal sit third with four matches remaining, five points clear of Atlético Madrid in fourth.
The achievement places them among Spain’s elite. Beyond Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético, only Valencia, Deportivo de la Coruña and Sevilla have previously managed repeat entries to the competition.
Playing in 2026/27 brings financial clout, prestige and a stronger platform for the project. It also underlines progress built under Marcelino GarcÃa Toral, who in his second spell has overseen these consecutive qualifications.
