History of UEFA in Timeline

UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, governs football in Europe and some transcontinental/West Asian countries, comprising 55 national associations. It organizes major national and club competitions like the European Championship, Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, managing prize money, regulations, and media rights. Due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, UEFA has suspended all Russian national teams and clubs from its competitions.

June 1954: UEFA Inauguration

On June 15, 1954, UEFA was officially inaugurated in Basel, Switzerland, after consultation between the Italian, French, and Belgian associations with 25 members present and 31 founding associations recognized.

1955: Start of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup

In 1955, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup began.

1955: Start of the European Champion Clubs' Cup

In 1955, the UEFA Champions League started as the European Champion Clubs' Cup, initially gathering the top team of each country.

1958: UEFA European Championship started

In 1958, the UEFA European Championship started, with the first finals in 1960.

1960: UEFA headquarters move to Bern

In 1960, UEFA's main headquarters moved from Paris to Bern.

1960: Start of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup

In 1960, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup started.

1960: First UEFA European Championship finals

The first finals of the UEFA European Championship took place in 1960.

1964: European Nations Cup renamed

Until 1964, the UEFA European Championship was known as the European Nations Cup.

1971: Launch of the UEFA Europa League

In 1971, UEFA launched the UEFA Europa League as a successor to both the former UEFA Cup and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

1973: Introduction of the UEFA Super Cup

In 1973, the UEFA Super Cup was introduced, pitting the winners of the Champions League against the winners of the Europa League (previously the winners of the Cup Winners' Cup).

1974: Israel admitted to UEFA

In 1974, Israel, which had been banned from the AFC group, was admitted to UEFA.

1984: Beginning of the Futsal European Clubs Championship

The Futsal European Clubs Championship, which was never recognised as official by UEFA, had a long and well-established tradition in the European futsal community dating back to 1984.

July 1988: Juventus receives The UEFA Plaque

On July 12, 1988, Juventus of Italy received The UEFA Plaque by the Union of European Football Associations in commemoration of winning all UEFA's official championships and cups.

1995: UEFA headquarters move to Nyon

In 1995, UEFA's headquarters moved to Nyon, Switzerland.

1995: Relaunch of the UEFA Intertoto Cup

In 1995, the UEFA Intertoto Cup, previously operated by several Central European football associations, was relaunched and recognised as an official UEFA club competition by UEFA.

1999: UEFA Regions' Cup launched

In 1999, UEFA launched the UEFA Regions' Cup, for semi-professional teams representing their local region.

1999: Opening of UEFA headquarters in Nyon

In 1999, UEFA opened its current headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

1999: Absorption of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup into the UEFA Cup

In 1999, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was absorbed into the UEFA Cup (now UEFA Europa League).

2001: UEFA Futsal Cup started

In 2001, UEFA's premier futsal competition, the UEFA Futsal Cup, was started, replacing the former Futsal European Clubs Championship.

2001: First UEFA Women's Champions League held

The UEFA Women's Champions League competition was first held in 2001.

2008: Last Intertoto Cup

The last Intertoto Cup took place in 2008.

2009: UEFA Women's Cup renamed

In 2009, the UEFA Women's Cup was renamed to the UEFA Women's Champions League.

2015: Michel Platini involved in 2015 FIFA corruption case

Following the 2015 FIFA corruption case, the then-president of UEFA, Michel Platini, was also involved in the case, leading to a ban from football-related activity.

September 2016: Aleksander Čeferin elected as UEFA's president

In September 2016, Aleksander Čeferin, former Football Association of Slovenia president, was elected as UEFA's seventh president at the 12th Extraordinary UEFA Congress in Athens and automatically became a vice-president of FIFA.

2016: "UEFA mafia" term used during Serbia v Albania match

In 2016, during a protest in Kosovo outside an EU building following the Serbia v Albania (UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying) match, the term "UEFA mafia" was used.

December 2018: UEFA announces creation of UEFA Europa Conference League

In December 2018, UEFA announced the creation of a third club competition, later named the UEFA Europa Conference League.

2018: Introduction of the UEFA Nations League

In 2018, the UEFA Nations League was introduced, largely replacing international friendly matches.

2019: UEFA decision to host Europa League Cup final in Baku

In 2019 UEFA's decision to host Europa League Cup final in Baku, Azerbaijan left Arsenal with a decision to withdraw their Armenian player Henrikh Mkhitaryan out of the competition due to safety concerns

2019: FC Copenhagen supporters displayed "UEFA MAFIA" banners

In 2019, FC Copenhagen supporters displayed banners around the city with slogans such as "UEFA MAFIA – THE PANDEMIC OF FOOTBALL", when UEFA ordered their 2019–20 Europa League round of 16 return leg be played behind closed doors.

2021: Discussions for a Europa League-style second tier women's club competition

Since 2021, there had been discussions to create a Europa League-style second tier women's club competition.

2021: First edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League played

The first edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League was played in 2021–2022.

February 2022: UEFA partners with Chiliz

In February 2022, UEFA's decision to partner with blockchain company Chiliz was criticised by fan groups across Europe.

February 2022: UEFA suspends Russian participation

In February 2022, due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and following an IOC recommendation, UEFA suspended the participation of Russia.

2022: Suspension of Russian teams from FIFA and UEFA competitions

In 2022, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA suspended all Russian national teams and clubs from any FIFA and UEFA competitions.

2022: First edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League played

The first edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League was played in 2021–2022.

2022: Juventus only team to win all UEFA official championships and cups until 2022

Until the first staging of the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022, Juventus of Italy was the only team in Europe to win all UEFA's official championships and cups.

September 2023: Ban lifted for Russia U-17 team

In September 2023, UEFA lifted the ban for the Russia U-17 team, enabling them to compete in the 2024 Euro U-17, sparking controversy and boycott threats.

December 2023: Creation of Europa League-style second tier women's club competition

In December 2023, the attempt to create a Europa League-style second tier women's club competition came to fruition, with the first edition to be played in 2025–26.