Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton, Celtic and Hearts have all been informed of their upcoming fixtures in this season's Europa League and Conference League campaigns. The draws for the group stages of both tournaments were conducted on Friday, setting the calendar for the clubs involved. Teams competing in the Europa League will contest eight matches each, while those in the Conference League will play six matches each, with an even split of home and away games spread across the period from September 2026 to January 2027.
For Sunderland, the occasion is historic: the club will make its first appearance in European competition in more than half a century, a 53‑year gap since their last continental outing. Their inaugural European fixture will see them travel to Milan's iconic San Siro stadium to take on the storied AC Milan. In a parallel debut, Bournemouth will also feature in European football for the first time.
Their schedule includes a home tie against the same Italian giants, giving the club a chance to showcase its facilities and fan base against a world‑renowned opponent. Celtic’s itinerary is equally compelling.
The Scottish side will host French club Marseille at Celtic Park before embarking on an away trip to Benfica, the Portuguese team managed by Marco Silva, as part of their eight‑match Europa League programme. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, who lifted the Conference League trophy last season, will enjoy a home match against Spain’s Real Sociedad and later travel to France to face Lyon, adding further intrigue to their title defence. Below is a detailed breakdown of the matchdays for each competition: **Conference League (Sunderland, Bournemouth, Celtic, etc.)** - 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 stage, the knockout phase will commence with play‑offs on 18 and 25 February 2027. The Round of 16 is slated 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 competition will culminate in a final on 26 May 2027, which will be staged at the Stadion Frankfurt in Germany. **Europa League (Brighton and other qualifiers)** - 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 Europa League will follow a similar knockout timetable: 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 a final on 2 June 2027.
The climax of the Europa League will be hosted at Besiktas Park in Istanbul, Turkey, offering a spectacular backdrop for the tournament’s decisive match. Both competitions also feature additional fan engagement opportunities. Supporters can download the Sky Sports App to stay updated with live scores, in‑depth analysis and exclusive video content. For those who prefer instant messaging, Sky Sports is available on WhatsApp, delivering real‑time notifications and matchday reminders directly to users’ phones.
Beyond the football action, there is a promotional element encouraging fan participation. A “Super 6” competition invites entrants to predict outcomes for a chance to win a £1 million prize pool, with entry being completely free of charge. This initiative aims to boost interaction and excitement throughout the season, giving supporters an extra incentive to follow every twist and turn of their clubs’ European journeys.
In summary, the confirmed fixtures set the stage for a thrilling series of encounters across two major UEFA tournaments. From Sunderland’s nostalgic return after five decades, to Bournemouth’s maiden European venture, and Celtic’s classic continental clashes, the schedule promises a blend of historic moments and fresh narratives.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace will look to defend their Conference League crown, and Brighton will chase success in the Europa League. Fans can track every match via the Sky Sports platforms, engage with the Super 6 contest, and anticipate a summer finale that will crown the season’s European champions.