Newcastle United’s next goal is Champions League qualification after winning the Carabao Cup.
The Magpies made history on Sunday, as their trophy drought came to an end.
Newcastle United beat Liverpool at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup. For thousands of Toon fans, it was the first time they had witnessed their club lift silverware.
Eddie Howe is now a club legend, becoming the first Newcastle United manager to win a trophy since 1969.
But the Magpies’ season is not over. There are still 10 Premier League games remaining, and Newcastle United are firmly in the mix to qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League.
Champions League dates confirmed
If Newcastle do qualify for the Champions League, they will be competing in a very different competition to the one they were in during the 2023/24 season.
The Champions League now has a league phase, with clubs playing eight games in a 36-team league rather than six games in a group of four.
The eight league games will take place on:
- 16th – 18th September 2025
- 30th September – 1st October 2025
- 21st – 22nd October 2025
- 4th – 5th November 2025
- 9th – 10th December 2025
- 20th – 21st January 2026
- 28th January 2026
Newcastle United can put themselves in pole position for the Champions League
There are still no guarantees that Newcastle United will be in the Champions League next season.
They will definitely be in Europe. Winning the Carabao Cup puts the Magpies into the UEFA Conference League playoff stage.
However, Newcastle’s main goal is to return to UEFA’s elite competition. With 10 games to go, that is very much in their hands.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 4 |  ChelseaChelsea | 29 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 53 | 37 | 16 | 49 |
| 5 |  Man CityManchester City | 29 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 55 | 40 | 15 | 48 |
| 6 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 28 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 47 | 38 | 9 | 47 |
| 7 |  BrightonBrighton | 29 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 48 | 42 | 6 | 47 |
| 8 |  FulhamFulham | 29 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 43 | 38 | 5 | 45 |
After competing in the Carabao Cup final, the Magpies now have a game in hand against Crystal Palace.
While Newcastle did not play at the weekend, Manchester City and Chelsea dropped points. That means that Newcastle could leapfrog them if they win their game in hand.
It is obviously easier said than done, but Newcastle know they will be back in the Champions League if they win all of their remaining Premier League games. That is going to be extremely difficult, but Howe will be keen for his players to ride the wave of momentum they have built up by winning the Carabao Cup.
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