The clubs Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton, Celtic and Hearts have all received the specifics of their upcoming Europa League and Conference League fixtures for this season. The draws for the group stages of both tournaments were conducted on Friday, setting the schedule for the participating teams.
In the Europa League, each club will contest eight matches, while those in the Conference League will play six, with an equal split between home and away games, spanning from September 2026 through January 2027. Sunderland’s qualification marks a historic moment, as it is the first time in 53 years that the club will compete in a European competition. Their inaugural European away tie will see them travel to Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium to face AC Milan.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth, also making their debut on the continental stage, will host the same Italian giants at their own ground, offering a unique double‑header of English clubs meeting Milan. Celtic’s itinerary includes a home clash against Marseille and an away trip to Benfica, the side managed by Marco Silva, as part of their eight‑match Europa League programme. Crystal Palace, who lifted the Conference League trophy last season, will welcome Spain’s Real Sociedad at Selhurst Park and later journey to France to take on Olympique Lyonnais. The calendar for the group phase is laid out 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 phase, the knockout stages will commence with play‑offs on 18 and 25 February 2027, then the round of 16 on 11 and 18 March 2027.
The quarter‑finals are scheduled for 8 and 15 April 2027, the semi‑finals for 29 April and 6 May 2027, and the grand final will be held on 26 May 2027 at the Stadion Frankfurt in Germany. For the Conference League, the matchdays are set as: - 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 mirrors the Europa League timetable, with 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 slated for 2 June 2027 at Besiktas Park in Istanbul, Turkey.
These fixtures not only provide a roadmap for the clubs involved but also generate excitement for fans across Europe who will be following the journeys of their teams through the continent’s secondary and tertiary club competitions. The inclusion of historic clubs like Celtic and emerging sides such as Bournemouth adds a compelling mix of experience and fresh ambition to the tournaments. Moreover, the chance for English clubs to test themselves against top European opposition – from Italian giants AC Milan to Spanish side Real Sociedad and French challengers Lyon – promises high‑quality football and the potential for memorable upsets.
The scheduling also ensures a balanced distribution of matches across the autumn and winter months, allowing teams to manage domestic league commitments while still competing on the European stage. The equal home‑and‑away format guarantees that each club will benefit from the support of its own fans while also facing the challenges of playing abroad, a factor that often influences tactical approaches and squad rotation. Fans can stay up to date with live scores, match highlights, and exclusive analysis by downloading the Sky Sports app or following the service on WhatsApp.
Additionally, Sky Sports is running a promotional Super 6 competition, offering participants the chance to win a £1 million prize at no cost, adding an extra layer of engagement for the audience. Overall, the confirmed fixtures set the scene for an exhilarating season of European football, where clubs will vie for glory, experience the thrill of international competition, and potentially write new chapters in their histories.