The recent draws for the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League have handed British clubs their group‑stage fixtures, setting the stage for a busy autumn of continental football. Sunderland, making a historic return to European competition after a 53‑year absence, have been paired with Italy's storied AC Milan, while Bournemouth, who are embarking on their inaugural European campaign, will host the same Italian giants at their home ground.
The draws, which took place on Friday, also confirmed the full slate of matches for the other British sides that have qualified for the two tournaments. In the Europa League, Celtic will welcome French side Marseille at Celtic Park before travelling to Portugal to face Marco Silva’s Benfica. Their remaining fixtures include games against Ferencváros, Union Saint‑Gilloise, Celta Vigo, Omonia Nicosia, Beşiktaş and Torreense, alternating home and away throughout the group phase.
Sunderland’s group is equally demanding: after a home game versus AZ Alkmaar, the Black Cats will travel to the San Siro to meet AC Milan, then host Dinamo Zagreb, journey to Belgium for a match against Anderlecht, and later play away at Jagiellonia Białystok, Lech Poznań, Levski Sofia and Torreense. Bournemouth’s schedule mirrors the same level of challenge, with a home tie against AC Milan, an away fixture versus Real Sociedad, and further games against Viktoria Plzeň, Sparta Prague, Sturm Graz, Celta Vigo, Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Lillestrøm. The Conference League draws have produced equally intriguing fixtures for Brighton & Hove Albion and Heart of Midlothian.
Brighton, who are only in their second European season after progressing past Tromsø in the qualifiers, will open their campaign against Monaco on home soil, followed by a trip to Greece to face Panathinaikos and an away match against Getafe in Spain. Additional group games see them host Universitatea Craiova, Kauno Žalgiris and travel to Jablonec.
Hearts, owned by Brighton’s chairman Tony Bloom, share a Monaco home game and will also travel to face Trabzonspor, a side that boasts Manchester United’s loan goalkeeper André Onana. Their remaining opponents include Pafos, Borac Banja Luka, Nordsjælland and Thun, providing a mixture of Balkan and Central European challenges. The group stage will run from mid‑September 2026 through late January 2027, with each club playing eight matches in the Europa League and six in the Conference League, split evenly between home and away venues. Matchdays are scheduled as follows for the Europa League: the first round on 16‑17 September, the second on 15 October, the third on 22 October, the fourth on 5 November, the fifth on 26 November, the sixth on 10 December, and the final two rounds on 21 and 28 January 2027.
The knockout phase will commence with play‑offs on 18 and 25 February 2027, followed by the round of 16 in March, quarter‑finals in April, semi‑finals at the end of April and early May, and the final set for 26 May 2027 at the Frankfurt Stadium in Germany. The Conference League follows a similar calendar, with its first matchday on 15 October and the final group fixture on 17 December. The play‑offs also begin on 18 and 25 February 2027, with the round of 16 in March, quarter‑finals in April, semi‑finals at the end of April and early May, and the final scheduled for 2 June 2027 at Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul, Turkey. For fans eager to follow the action, the games will be available on the Sky Sports app for subscribers.
Those without a Sky package can still gain instant access through a flexible, contract‑free streaming option, ensuring that supporters across the UK can keep up with every twist and turn of their club’s European journey. These draws not only map out the competitive landscape for the upcoming months but also highlight the growing presence of British clubs on the continental stage.
Sunderland’s return after more than half a century, Bournemouth’s debut, and the continued involvement of Celtic, Brighton and Hearts underscore a widening gap between domestic success and European ambition. As the clubs prepare their squads, travel logistics and tactical plans, supporters can look forward to a season filled with memorable encounters, historic venues and the chance to test themselves against some of Europe’s most respected teams.