The latest draws for the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League have been completed, and they have handed British clubs a clear picture of the opponents they will face in the upcoming group stages. Sunderland, making a historic return to continental football after a 53‑year absence, have been paired with Italy’s storied AC Milan, while Bournemouth, who are embarking on their maiden European adventure, will host the same Italian giants at their home ground.
Both clubs will therefore encounter AC Milan twice – once away for Sunderland and once at home for Bournemouth – as part of the eight‑match league phase that each Europa League side must navigate. The draws were conducted on Friday and set the schedule for the group‑stage fixtures that will run from September 2026 through to January 2027.
In the Europa League, each club will play eight games – four at home and four away – while the Conference League participants will contest six matches, also split evenly between home and away venues. This structure ensures a balanced set of opportunities for every team to earn points and progress. Sunderland’s European journey is particularly momentous. The club’s last appearance on the continental stage dates back to the early 1970s, and their trip to the iconic San Siro to face AC Milan marks a significant milestone for the fans and the city.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, will welcome AC Milan at the Vitality Stadium, providing their supporters with a rare chance to see one of Italy’s most successful clubs on English soil. Both fixtures promise to be high‑profile events, drawing considerable media attention and offering valuable experience for the English sides.
In Scotland, Celtic have been drawn against Olympique de Marseille for a home tie, followed by an away encounter with Benfica under the guidance of Marco Silva. Their full Europa League itinerary also includes matches against Ferencváros, Union SG, Celta Vigo, Omonia, Besiktas, and Torreense, alternating between home and away venues.
Crystal Palace, the reigning Conference League champions, will host Real Sociedad of La Liga and travel to face Lyon in France, alongside a series of other fixtures that see them meeting Sparta Prague, Salzburg, Lech Poznan, Jagiellonia, Hoffenheim, and Besiktas. The detailed schedule for the Europa League group stage is as follows: Matchday 1 will take place on 16‑17 September, followed by Matchday 2 on 15 October, Matchday 3 on 22 October, Matchday 4 on 5 November, Matchday 5 on 26 November, Matchday 6 on 10 December, and the final two rounds – Matchday 7 on 21 January 2027 and Matchday 8 on 28 January 2027. After the league phase, the competition moves into the knockout rounds, beginning with play‑offs on 18 and 25 February 2027, then the round of 16 in March, quarter‑finals in April, semi‑finals at the end of April and early May, and culminating in the final on 26 May 2027 at the Stadion Frankfurt in Germany.
Brighton & Hove Albion are also back in Europe, this time competing in the Conference League after securing their place by defeating Tromsø in the qualifying rounds. This marks only the second European campaign in the club’s history. Their group‑stage schedule pits them against Monaco from Ligue 1, Panathinaikos from Greece, and Getafe from Spain, among other opponents such as Universitatea Craiova, Kauno Zalgiris, and Jablonec.
Brighton’s toughest test is likely to be the home match against Monaco, a club with a rich pedigree in European competition. Hearts, another Scottish Premiership side owned by Brighton’s chief executive Tony Bloom, will also feature in the Conference League. They will host Monaco at Tynecastle and travel to face Trabzonspor, a Turkish side that currently boasts Manchester United’s goalkeeper André Onana on loan.
Their full slate includes fixtures against Pafos, Borac, Nordsjælland, and Thun, providing a diverse set of challenges across several footballing cultures. For fans who subscribe to Sky Sports, live coverage of all these matches can be accessed via the Sky Sports app. Those without a Sky subscription are offered the option of instant access without a long‑term contract, ensuring that supporters can follow their teams throughout the competition. Overall, the draws have set the stage for an exciting autumn of European football for British clubs.
Sunderland’s historic return, Bournemouth’s debut, Celtic’s traditional European pedigree, Crystal Palace’s defense of their title, and Brighton and Hearts’ forays into the Conference League all promise a mixture of drama, travel, and high‑quality football. The upcoming fixtures will test each squad’s depth, tactical flexibility, and ability to perform away from home, while also offering fans the chance to see their teams compete against some of the continent’s most respected clubs. The journey from the group stages to the final will be a marathon, but the early matches already hint at compelling storylines that could shape the rest of the season for these clubs.