The clubs Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton, Celtic and Hearts have all been briefed on the specifics of their upcoming Europa League and Conference League fixtures for the current season. The draws that determine the league phase of both tournaments were conducted on Friday, setting the calendar for each side. Teams competing in the Europa League will contest eight matches each, while those in the Conference League will play six matches each, with an equal split of home and away games.
These fixtures will run from September 2026 through January 2027, giving clubs a clear roadmap for the first half of the European campaign. Sunderland’s qualification marks a historic moment, as the club will appear in European competition for the first time in 53 years.
Their opening tie will see them travel to the iconic San Siro stadium to face Italian giants AC Milan, a daunting debut on the continental stage. Meanwhile, Bournemouth, also making their maiden European appearance, will host AC Milan at their home ground, offering their supporters a rare chance to see the storied Italian side on British soil. In the Europa League, Celtic’s schedule includes a home fixture against French side Marseille and an away trip to Benfica, managed by Marco Silva, as part of their eight-match slate. Crystal Palace, who lifted the Conference League trophy last season, will host LaLiga outfit Real Sociedad and later travel to France to take on Lyon, adding further intrigue to their European run.
The detailed match calendar for the league phase is as follows: - Matchday 1: 16/17 September - Matchday 2: 15 October - Matchday 3: 22 October - Matchday 4: 5 November - Matchday 5: 26 November - Matchday 6: 10 December - Matchday 7: 21 January 2027 - Matchday 8: 28 January 2027 Following the league 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 grand finale will be held on 26 May 2027 at the Stadion Frankfurt in Germany, where the champions will be crowned.
For the Conference League, the schedule mirrors a similar structure but with six matchdays: - Matchday 1: 15 October - Matchday 2: 22 October - Matchday 3: 5 November - Matchday 4: 26 November - Matchday 5: 10 December - Matchday 6: 17 December The knockout phase for the Conference League also begins with play‑offs on 18 and 25 February 2027, followed by the round of 16 on 11 and 18 March 2027, quarter‑finals on 8 and 15 April 2027, and semi‑finals on 29 April and 6 May 2027. However, the final will take place a week later, on 2 June 2027, at Besiktas Park in Istanbul, Turkey, providing a spectacular setting for the climax of the tournament. Fans can stay up to date with the latest fixture information, live scores and exclusive content by downloading the Sky Sports app or following Sky Sports on WhatsApp. In addition, Sky Sports is running a "Super 6" promotion, giving participants a chance to win a £1 million prize at no cost.
This initiative encourages supporters to engage with the platform while enjoying the excitement of European football. Overall, the confirmation of these fixtures allows clubs, players, and supporters to plan their travel, training schedules, and match preparations well in advance. The blend of historic clubs returning to Europe after long absences, such as Sunderland, and newcomers like Bournemouth, adds a fresh narrative to the competitions.
Meanwhile, established European regulars such as Celtic, Crystal Palace and the other listed teams will look to build on their previous experiences and aim for success in both the league and knockout stages. The upcoming months promise a blend of high‑stakes matches, dramatic venues, and the chance for clubs to etch their names into European football history.