The upcoming season’s Europa League and Conference League match programmes have been officially released, giving clubs such as Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton, Celtic and Hearts a clear view of when and where they will compete. The draws for the group stages of both tournaments took place on Friday, setting the calendar for a series of fixtures that will run from September 2026 through to January 2027. In the Europa League, each participating team will contest eight games – four at home and four away – while the Conference League clubs will face six matches – three on their own turf and three on the road.
This balanced schedule ensures that every side has an equal opportunity to capitalize on home‑field advantage while also testing their resilience in foreign environments. Sunderland’s qualification marks a historic moment for the club, as it is the first time in 53 years that the Black Cats will compete in a European competition. Their opening encounter will be a trip to Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium, where they will meet the storied AC Milan side.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth, making its debut on the continental stage, will also be drawn against the Italian giants, but they will host the match at their own ground, offering a unique chance for their supporters to witness top‑flight European football on home soil. Celtic’s itinerary includes a home fixture against French side Marseille, followed by an away trip to Portugal to face Marco Silva’s Benfica. These two games are part of Celtic’s eight‑match Europa League campaign, which will also see them travel to other European venues and host additional opponents as the group stage unfolds.
Crystal Palace, fresh from winning the Conference League last season, will enjoy the privilege of hosting LaLiga club Real Sociedad at Selhurst Park. Their schedule also includes an away fixture in France, where they will travel to face Lyon, adding another layer of excitement for the Eagles’ fan base. The detailed matchday timetable for the group phase 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 stages will commence with play‑off legs on 18 and 25 February 2027.
The Round of 16 is slated for 11 and 18 March 2027, while the quarter‑finals will be contested on 8 and 15 April 2027. Semi‑final clashes are scheduled for 29 April and 6 May 2027, leading up to the grand finale on 26 May 2027 at the Stadion Frankfurt in Germany. For the Conference League, the schedule mirrors the Europa League’s structure but with a slightly shorter group phase. The matchdays are set as follows: - 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 knockout‑phase timeline for the Conference League aligns closely with that of the Europa League, with play‑offs on 18 and 25 February 2027, Round of 16 on 11 and 18 March, quarter‑finals on 8 and 15 April, semi‑finals on 29 April and 6 May, and the final taking place on 2 June 2027 at Besiktas Park in Istanbul, Turkey.
Fans can stay up‑to‑date with live scores, fixtures and exclusive analysis by downloading the Sky Sports app, which also offers a WhatsApp service for real‑time updates. Additionally, the platform is running a "Super 6" competition where participants can enter for free for a chance to win a £1 million prize, adding an extra layer of excitement for football enthusiasts throughout the season. Overall, the release of these fixtures not only provides clubs with the logistical details they need to plan travel, training and squad rotation, but also fuels anticipation among supporters who will be eager to see their teams embark on European adventures.
Whether it’s Sunderland’s nostalgic return after more than half a century, Bournemouth’s maiden voyage into continental competition, or Celtic and Crystal Palace’s continued quest for silverware, the upcoming months promise a rich tapestry of footballing drama across the continent.