Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton, Celtic and Hearts have all received the full details of their upcoming Europa League and Conference League fixtures for the current season. The draws for the league phases of both tournaments were conducted on Friday, setting the schedule for each club's matches. Teams competing in the Europa League will contest eight games each, while those in the Conference League will play six matches each, with an equal split of home and away fixtures.
These encounters are slated to take place from September 2026 through to January 2027. Sunderland’s qualification marks a historic moment, as it is the club’s first foray into European competition in 53 years. Their inaugural European tie will see them travel to the iconic San Siro stadium to face the Italian giants AC Milan.
In a parallel storyline, Bournemouth, also making their debut on the continental stage, have been drawn to host AC Milan at their home ground, offering fans a rare chance to see the Italian side on English soil. Celtic’s itinerary includes a home match against French side Marseille, followed by an away fixture at Benfica, managed by Marco Silva, as part of their eight-game Europa League campaign.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, who lifted the Conference League trophy last season, will welcome Spain’s Real Sociedad to Selhurst Park and later travel to France to take on Lyon. The calendar for the league phase is as follows: - Matchday 1: 16‑17 September 2026 - Matchday 2: 15 October 2026 - Matchday 3: 22 October 2026 - Matchday 4: 5 November 2026 - Matchday 5: 26 November 2026 - Matchday 6: 10 December 2026 - Matchday 7: 21 January 2027 - Matchday 8: 28 January 2027 Following the group stages, the knockout rounds will commence with play‑offs on 18 and 25 February 2027.
The Round of 16 is scheduled for 11 and 18 March 2027, the quarter‑finals for 8 and 15 April 2027, and the semi‑finals for 29 April and 6 May 2027. The grand finale of the Europa League will be contested on 26 May 2027 at the Stadion Frankfurt in Germany. In addition to the Europa League schedule, the Conference League has its own set of dates.
The league‑phase matches for the Conference League will be played on: - Matchday 1: 15 October 2026 - Matchday 2: 22 October 2026 - Matchday 3: 5 November 2026 - Matchday 4: 26 November 2026 - Matchday 5: 10 December 2026 - Matchday 6: 17 December 2026 The knockout phase mirrors the Europa League timeline, with play‑offs on 18 and 25 February 2027, Round of 16 on 11 and 18 March 2027, quarter‑finals on 8 and 15 April 2027, semi‑finals on 29 April and 6 May 2027, and the final set for 2 June 2027 at Besiktas Park in Istanbul, Turkey. These fixtures provide a clear roadmap for clubs, supporters, and broadcasters alike, outlining when and where the key European clashes will occur. Fans can stay up‑to‑date by downloading the Sky Sports app or following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action. For those looking for a bit of extra excitement, there is also a promotional "Super 6" competition offering a chance to win a £1 million prize, with free entry available to participants.
This adds an additional layer of engagement for the football‑loving audience throughout the season. Overall, the confirmed schedules set the stage for a thrilling series of matches across Europe, with historic clubs embarking on new journeys and seasoned sides aiming to defend or improve their continental reputations.
The blend of classic powerhouses like AC Milan and emerging English clubs promises a compelling narrative that will unfold over the coming months, culminating in two high‑profile finals that will crown the champions of the Europa League and the Conference League respectively.