The latest draw for the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League has been completed, and British clubs now know which teams they will face in the upcoming group stages. Sunderland will embark on a historic journey to Italy, playing away at AC Milan in the Europa League, while Bournemouth, making their debut in European competition, will welcome the Italian giants at their home ground.
Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion and Hearts have learned the fixtures that await them in the Conference League. The group‑stage draws were conducted on Friday, setting the calendar for both tournaments. Europa League participants will contest eight matches each – four at home and four away – between September 2026 and January 2027.
Conference League clubs will play six matches each – three at home and three away – over the same period. The schedule ensures a balanced mix of home and away fixtures, giving every side an equal chance to progress. Sunderland’s appearance marks a monumental moment for the club: it is their first foray into European football in more than half a century.
The Black Cats will travel to the iconic San Siro stadium to take on AC Milan, a side with a storied history in continental competition. Bournemouth, on the other hand, will host AC Milan in their inaugural European fixture, a thrilling prospect for a club that has never before competed beyond the domestic scene.
Celtic’s draw sees them hosting French side Marseille before heading to Portugal to face Marco Silva’s Benfica. Their eight‑match itinerary also includes fixtures against Ferencváros in Hungary, Union SG in Belgium, Celta Vigo in Spain, Omonia in Cyprus, Besiktas in Turkey, and Torreense in Portugal.
Sunderland’s group features AZ Alkmaar from the Netherlands, AC Milan, Croatia’s GNK Dinamo, Belgian powerhouse Anderlecht, Poland’s Jagiellonia, Lech Poznan, Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia, and again Torreense. Bournemouth’s schedule pits them against AC Milan at home, then a trip to Spain to meet Real Sociedad, followed by matches versus Viktoria Plzeň in the Czech Republic, Sparta Prague, Sturm Graz in Austria, Celta Vigo, Hapoel Be’er Sheva from Israel, and finally Lillestrøm from Norway. Crystal Palace, last season’s Conference League champions, will host LaLiga side Real Sociedad and travel to face Lyon in France, with additional games against Sparta Prague, Salzburg, Lech Poznan, Jagiellonia, Hoffenheim, and Besiktas. The matchdays are clearly laid out: the first round kicks off on 16‑17 September, with subsequent matchdays on 15 October, 22 October, 5 November, 26 November, 10 December, and the final two rounds in late January 2027.
The knockout phase will begin with play‑offs on 18 and 25 February 2027, followed by the round of 16 in March, quarter‑finals in April, semi‑finals at the end of April and early May, and the grand finale scheduled for 26 May 2027 at the Frankfurt Stadium in Germany. Brighton & Hove Albion are back in Europe for only the second time in their history, having qualified after defeating Tromsø in the preliminary rounds.
Their Conference League group sees them drawn against Monaco from Ligue 1, Greek side Panathinaikos, and Spanish club Getafe, among others. Brighton’s toughest challenge is likely the home fixture against Monaco, a club that regularly competes at the highest level in France. Their away trips to Panathinaikos and Getafe will also test the squad’s depth and tactical flexibility.
Hearts, the Scottish Premiership side owned by Brighton chairman Tony Bloom, will also face Monaco at home, and travel to play against Trabzonspor – a team featuring Manchester United’s loan goalkeeper Andre Onana – as well as other opponents such as Pafos, Borac, Nordsjælland, and Thun. Both Brighton and Hearts share the experience of competing against Monaco, adding an intriguing narrative to the group stage. The Conference League schedule for both clubs runs from mid‑October to mid‑December, with six matchdays spread across that period. After the group stage, the competition will move into its knockout phase, beginning with play‑offs in February 2027, followed by the round of 16 in March, quarter‑finals in April, semi‑finals at the end of April and early May, and culminating in a final on 2 June 2027 at Besiktas Park in Istanbul, Turkey.
Fans can follow all the action via the Sky Sports app if they have a subscription, or they can obtain an instant access pass without a long‑term contract. The draws have set the stage for an exciting spring of European football, offering British clubs the chance to test themselves against some of the continent’s most renowned teams, while also providing a platform for clubs like Bournemouth and Sunderland to make their mark on the European stage for the first time.