The draw balls barely stopped spinning before it sank in: English and Scottish clubs have been thrown straight into the deep end of Europe.
Sunderland, back on the continental stage for the first time in 53 years, are heading to the San Siro to face seven-time European champions AC Milan in the Europa League. Bournemouth, taking their first-ever steps in European competition, will welcome the same Italian giants to the south coast in what will be a historic night for the club.
Across both the Europa League and the Europa Conference League, the new league-phase format has delivered a set of fixtures that feel anything but gentle.
Europa League: British clubs handed heavyweight tests
The revamped Europa League will see each club play eight league-phase matches between September 2026 and January 2027 – four at home, four away – before the knockout picture takes shape.
Sunderland’s long-awaited return comes with a San Siro trip
For Sunderland, simply being in the draw is a story in itself. Half a century out of Europe, they now face a schedule that reads like a tour of the continent’s footballing heartlands.
They will host AZ Alkmaar, GNK Dinamo, Jagiellonia and Levski Sofia at the Stadium of Light, while travelling to AC Milan, Anderlecht, Lech Poznan and Torreense. That visit to Milan stands out: a club rebuilt from the depths of English football now walking out at one of the game’s great cathedrals.
It is romantic. It is also ruthless. Every point will matter in a format that rewards consistency as much as glamour.
Bournemouth’s European debut lit up by Milan visit
If Sunderland’s story is about rebirth, Bournemouth’s is about first steps. The club that only recently made its way up from the lower tiers of English football now finds itself hosting AC Milan on the south coast.
Their eight fixtures offer no time to settle. Bournemouth will play AC Milan, Viktoria Plzen, Sturm Graz and Hapoel Be’er Sheva at home, and travel to Real Sociedad, Sparta Prague, Celta and Lillestrom.
For the Vitality Stadium, these are uncharted waters. Milan under the lights. Real Sociedad in San Sebastian. Prague, Vigo, Norway. For a club of Bournemouth’s size, this is exactly the kind of schedule that can redefine ambition.
Celtic draw Marseille and Benfica in heavyweight group
Celtic, seasoned European campaigners, have been handed a classic mix of glamour and jeopardy. Among their eight ties, two leap off the page: a home clash with Marseille and a trip to Marco Silva’s Benfica.
Their full slate reads: Marseille (H), Benfica (A), Ferencvaros (H), Union SG (A), Celta Vigo (H), Omonia (A), Besiktas (H), Torreense (A). That’s three major home nights at Celtic Park against Marseille, Celta Vigo and Besiktas, and tricky away days in Lisbon and Brussels.
These are the kind of fixtures that define seasons in Glasgow. The atmosphere will take care of itself. The question is whether Brendan Rodgers’ side can turn noise into points.
Crystal Palace face Real Sociedad and Lyon
Crystal Palace, last season’s Conference League winners, step up a level and have been rewarded with a draw that underlines their new status.
They will host Real Sociedad, Sparta Prague, Lech Poznan, Hoffenheim and travel to Lyon, Salzburg, Jagiellonia and Besiktas. Real Sociedad at Selhurst Park will feel like a natural extension of last year’s European run. Lyon away will test Palace’s growing European maturity.
This is no soft landing. But Palace have earned the right to sit at this table.
Europa League calendar set for a packed winter
The league phase will unfold as follows:
- Matchday 1: September 16/17
- Matchday 2: October 15
- Matchday 3: October 22
- Matchday 4: November 5
- Matchday 5: November 26
- Matchday 6: December 10
- Matchday 7: January 21, 2027
- Matchday 8: January 28, 2027
From there, the knockout phase begins:
- Knockout play-offs: February 18 & 25, 2027
- Round of 16: March 11 & 18, 2027
- Quarter-finals: April 8 & 15, 2027
- Semi-finals: April 29 & May 6, 2027
- Final: May 26, 2027 (Stadion Frankfurt, Germany)
For clubs juggling domestic and European demands, the winter will be relentless. Rotations will not be a luxury; they will be a necessity.
Conference League: Brighton and Hearts eye statement nights
The Europa Conference League, often billed as Europe’s third tier, will not feel that way to Brighton or Hearts. Both have drawn Monaco, and both can see a path to something memorable.
Each side will play six league-phase games – three home, three away – between October and December 2026.
Brighton’s second European adventure gets serious
This is only Brighton’s second-ever European campaign, earned after navigating Tromso in qualifying. Fabian Hurzeler’s team now face a league-phase that carries both opportunity and real threat.
Their fixtures: Monaco (H), Panathinaikos (A), Universitatea Craiova (H), Getafe (A), Kauno Zalgiris (H), Jablonec (A).
Monaco at the Amex will be the headline act, a night that will test Brighton’s technical, possession-based style against a club with deep European pedigree. Trips to Panathinaikos and Getafe promise hostile atmospheres and tight margins.
Brighton wanted Europe. This is Europe, in all its awkward, demanding detail.
Hearts to host Monaco and visit Trabzonspor
Hearts, owned by Brighton chief Tony Bloom, have their own European storyline to write. They too will host Monaco at Tynecastle and must navigate a trip to Mohamed Salah’s Trabzonspor, where Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is on loan.
Their full schedule: Monaco (H), Pafos (A), Borac (H), Trabzonspor (A), Nordsjaelland (H), Thun (A).
Tynecastle under the lights against Monaco will be raw and raucous. The visit to Trabzon, with Salah and Onana in the spotlight, could be one of the most intimidating away days of the entire competition.
Conference League fixture list
The league-phase dates are set:
- Matchday 1: October 15
- Matchday 2: October 22
- Matchday 3: November 5
- Matchday 4: November 26
- Matchday 5: December 10
- Matchday 6: December 17
From there, the knockout phase awaits, with the path to the latter stages opening up for those who can handle the grind before Christmas.
Across both competitions, the pattern is clear. No easing in, no gentle introductions. Sunderland walk back into Europe at the San Siro. Bournemouth’s first European night comes against AC Milan. Celtic and Palace collide with old and new powers. Brighton and Hearts share Monaco and chase nights that can reshape their modern histories.
The fixtures are out. The calendars are full. Now we find out which of these British clubs are just passing through Europe, and which are ready to stay a while.
