The latest draws for the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League have been completed, and British clubs now know who they will face in the upcoming group stages. Sunderland have been paired with Italian giants AC Milan for an away fixture at the iconic San Siro, while Bournemouth, making their debut in European competition, will host the same Serie A powerhouse at their home ground. In the Conference League, Brighton and Hearts have also learned the teams that will accompany them on their continental journeys.
Both draws were conducted on Friday, setting the schedule for the league phase of each tournament. The Europa League will feature eight matchdays for each club, with an equal split of home and away games spread from September 2026 through January 2027.
The Conference League will follow a similar format but with six matchdays per club, also balanced between home and away venues within the same timeframe. Sunderland’s qualification marks a historic moment for the club, as it is their first appearance in European competition in 53 years. Their opening trip to Milan will see them test themselves against one of the continent’s most storied sides on a stage that has hosted countless classic encounters. Bournemouth, on the other hand, are writing a new chapter in their history, as this is their inaugural venture into Europe.
Their first home match will be a high‑profile clash against AC Milan, offering the club a chance to showcase its progress to a global audience. In the Europa League, Celtic have been drawn to host French side Marseille and later travel to Portugal to face Marco Silva’s Benfica. Their full list of opponents also includes Ferencváros in Hungary, Union Saint‑Gilloise from Belgium, Celta Vigo from Spain, Omonia Nicosia from Cyprus, Besiktas of Turkey, and Torreense from Portugal. Sunderland’s eight opponents are AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands), AC Milan (Italy), Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia), Anderlecht (Belgium), Jagiellonia Białystok (Poland), Lech Poznań (Poland), Levski Sofia (Bulgaria), and Torreense (Portugal).
Bournemouth’s schedule pits them against AC Milan at home, then an away game versus Real Sociedad of Spain, followed by fixtures against Viktoria Plzeň (Czech Republic), Sparta Prague (Czech Republic), Sturm Graz (Austria), Celta Vigo (Spain), Hapoel Be’er Sheva (Israel), and Lillestrøm (Norway). Crystal Palace, the defending champions of the Conference League, will host La Liga side Real Sociedad before traveling to France to meet Lyon. Their remaining opponents are Sparta Prague (Czech Republic), Salzburg (Austria), Lech Poznań (Poland), Jagiellonia Białystok (Poland), Hoffenheim (Germany), and Besiktas (Turkey).
The match calendar for these clubs begins with Matchday 1 on 16‑17 September, followed by subsequent matchdays on 15 October, 22 October, 5 November, 26 November, 10 December, and the final two rounds on 21 January and 28 January 2027. After the group phase, the knockout play‑offs commence on 18 and 25 February 2027, leading into the round of 16 in March, quarter‑finals in April, semi‑finals at the end of April and early May, and the grand finale scheduled for 26 May 2027 at the Frankfurt Stadium in Germany.
Brighton & Hove Albion are returning to European competition for only the second time in their history after navigating past Tromsø in the qualifying rounds to secure a place in the Conference League group stage. Their toughest home test will be against Ligue 1 side Monaco, while they will also travel to face Greek club Panathinaikos and Spanish side Getafe in away fixtures.
The Seagulls’ full group includes Monaco (home), Panathinaikos (away), Universitatea Craiova (home), Getafe (away), Kauno Žalgiris (home), and Jablonec (away). Meanwhile, Scottish Premiership side Hearts, owned by Brighton chief executive Tony Bloom, will also host Monaco and travel to face Trabzonspor, a club that currently features Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana on loan. Hearts’ group opponents are Monaco (home), Pafos (away), Borac (home), Trabzonspor (away), Nordsjælland (home), and Thun (away). The Conference League schedule for Brighton and Hearts starts later than the Europa League, with Matchday 1 on 15 October, followed by games on 22 October, 5 November, 26 November, 10 December, and a final group match on 17 December.
The knockout phase mirrors the Europa League timeline, with play‑offs on 18 and 25 February 2027, round of 16 in March, quarter‑finals in April, semi‑finals at the end of April and early May, and a final set for 2 June 2027 at the newly built Besiktas Park in Istanbul, Turkey. Fans with a Sky Sports subscription can follow all of these fixtures live via the Sky Sports app, while those without a contract can still gain instant access through a flexible, contract‑free option. The draws have generated excitement across the UK, as clubs of varying pedigree now prepare for a season of international travel, unfamiliar opponents, and the chance to make history on the European stage. Whether it is Sunderland’s long‑awaited return after half a century, Bournemouth’s maiden voyage, or Celtic’s continued quest for continental glory, the upcoming months promise a blend of drama, ambition, and the unpredictable magic that only European football can deliver.