Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton, Celtic and Hearts have all been briefed on the specifics of their upcoming Europa League and Conference League programmes for this campaign. 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 – four at home and four away – while those in the Conference League will play six fixtures, also split evenly between their own ground and their opponents'. These encounters are slated to take place from September 2026 through to January 2027.
For Sunderland, the news is historic: the club will be making its first foray into European competition in more than half a century – 53 years to be exact. Their inaugural European fixture will see them travel to the iconic San Siro stadium to take on AC Milan, a club with a storied pedigree in continental football.
In a parallel milestone, Bournemouth, who are also embarking on their maiden European adventure, have been drawn to host AC Milan at their home venue, offering their supporters a chance to witness a top‑class Italian side on British soil. Celtic's schedule features a home tie against French side Marseille, followed by an away leg at Benfica, the Portuguese outfit managed by Marco Silva. These two matches are part of Celtic's eight‑game Europa League itinerary, which also includes other opponents to be confirmed later in the season.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, who lifted the Conference League trophy last season, will enjoy a home game against Spain's Real Sociedad and will travel to France to face Lyon in the group phase. The detailed match calendar for the group stage 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 conclusion of the league phase, 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 staged on 26 May 2027 at the Stadion Frankfurt in Germany.
In addition to the Europa League timetable, the Conference League will run a slightly shorter schedule, with six matchdays: - 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 Conference League knockout phase mirrors the Europa League dates for the play‑offs, Round of 16, quarter‑finals and semi‑finals. However, its final will be held a little later, on 2 June 2027, at Besiktas Park in Istanbul, Turkey. These fixtures represent a significant milestone for several of the clubs involved. Sunderland's return to Europe after more than five decades underscores the progress the club has made since its recent promotions and financial restructuring.
Their fans can look forward to a historic night at the San Siro, a venue that has hosted countless memorable European nights. Bournemouth, meanwhile, will relish the opportunity to test themselves against one of Italy's most successful sides, adding a new chapter to their own club history. Celtic's encounters with Marseille and Benfica promise high‑quality football, pitting Scottish champions against clubs with deep European pedigrees. The matches will test Celtic's tactical flexibility and squad depth, especially given the travel demands of playing in both France and Portugal.
Crystal Palace, as defending Conference League champions, will aim to repeat their success, with Real Sociedad offering a technically adept Spanish challenge and Lyon providing a French test that will require both defensive solidity and attacking creativity. For supporters, the schedule provides ample opportunity to plan travel and attend away games, whether that means a trip to Milan, a night in Marseille, or a journey to Lisbon for Benfica.
The balanced home‑and‑away format ensures that each club will have the chance to showcase its own stadium atmosphere while also experiencing the varied environments of European football. Fans can stay up to date with the latest news, live scores and match highlights by downloading the Sky Sports app or following Sky Sports on WhatsApp.
In addition, Sky Sports is running a "Super 6" competition, giving participants a chance to win a £1 million prize at no cost. This promotional offer adds an extra layer of excitement for viewers who follow the European fixtures throughout the season. Overall, the confirmed fixtures set the stage for a compelling European campaign, with historic moments, new rivalries and the chance for clubs to make their mark on the continental stage. Whether it is Sunderland's historic return, Bournemouth's debut, Celtic's quest for European glory, or Crystal Palace's bid to defend their title, the upcoming months promise drama, passion and high‑stakes football across the continent.