A new incentive to make the UEFA Europa League more lucrative was introduced at the draws for the group stage today in Monaco, with the winners of the competition now set to be rewarded with a place in the UEFA Champions League.

The incentive was one of a number of changes made to the Europa League, with mode of qualification from respective leagues and cup competitions seeing minor changes effected.

As a result, starting from this season, the winners of the Europa League will be rewarded with a place in the following season’s Champions League from at least the play-off stage.

This also means the maximum number of clubs from one domestic league that can qualify for the UEFA Champions League is increased to five.

Another change sees the highest-ranked club in their domestic league not already qualified for the Europa League qualifying for the competition if a national cup winner has booked a UEFA Champions League spot.

That Europa League spot previously went to national cup runners-up, such as Hull City that for this season’s competition after finishing as runners-up in last season’s English FA Cup to Champions League-bound Arsenal.

Another initiative for the Europa League will see more clubs qualify directly to the group stage from next season, with the number increased to 16 clubs from seven clubs.

The 16 clubs will comprise the national cup winners from the 12 highest-ranked nations, the fourth-placed finisher in the fourth-ranked nation and the fifth-placed finishers in the three top-ranked nations.