Sunderland's Europa League Journey Begins at San Siro
Sunderland’s long wait for European football has been rewarded in the grandest way possible: a night at the San Siro against AC Milan. Bournemouth, stepping into Europe for the first time in their history, will also welcome the seven-time European champions to the south coast as English and Scottish clubs discovered their Europa League and Conference League league-phase opponents.
The draws, made on Friday, confirmed a packed schedule. Europa League sides will play eight league-phase matches, Conference League clubs six, split evenly home and away, between September 2026 and January 2027.
Sunderland’s European return lit by AC Milan test
Fifty-three years after they last graced Europe, Sunderland are back – and straight into one of the continent’s iconic arenas. A trip to AC Milan headlines their Europa League slate, a fixture that instantly jumps off the page.
Their full schedule is demanding and diverse:
- AZ Alkmaar (H)
- AC Milan (A)
- GNK Dinamo (H)
- Anderlecht (A)
- Jagiellonia (H)
- Lech Poznan (A)
- Levski Sofia (H)
- Torreense (A)
From Dutch and Belgian opposition to multiple trips into Eastern Europe, it is a route that will test squad depth and temperament as much as talent.
Bournemouth’s first European adventure
Bournemouth’s debut in European competition carries its own glamour. AC Milan come to the south coast, a landmark night for a club that only recently established itself in the Premier League.
Their eight fixtures mix pedigree and potential pitfalls:
- AC Milan (H)
- Real Sociedad (A)
- Viktoria Plzen (H)
- Sparta Prague (A)
- Sturm Graz (H)
- Celta (A)
- Hapoel Be’er Sheva (H)
- Lillestrom (A)
Home games against Milan and Viktoria Plzen give Bournemouth a platform. Away days in Spain, the Czech Republic and Norway will reveal how quickly they can adapt to the rhythm of continental football.
Celtic and Palace handed heavyweight clashes
Celtic’s draw brings both history and hostility. They will host Marseille in Glasgow, a meeting of two fervent fanbases, and travel to Marco Silva’s Benfica as part of a varied programme:
- Marseille (H)
- Benfica (A)
- Ferencvaros (H)
- Union SG (A)
- Celta Vigo (H)
- Omonia (A)
- Besiktas (H)
- Torreense (A)
Crystal Palace, fresh from winning last season’s Conference League, step up into the Europa League with a schedule that looks every inch a test of their new status. They will host LaLiga side Real Sociedad and head to France to face Lyon:
- Real Sociedad (H)
- Lyon (A)
- Sparta Prague (H)
- Salzburg (A)
- Lech Poznan (H)
- Jagiellonia (A)
- Hoffenheim (H)
- Besiktas (A)
There are no soft landings there. Every match carries weight, every trip a different style and tempo.
Europa League calendar locked in
The league phase will unfold over eight matchdays:
- 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 picture sharpens:
- Knockout phase 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)
Every British side will have that Frankfurt date in the back of their minds, even if the road looks long from here.
Brighton and Hearts eye Conference League progress
In the Conference League, Brighton return to European competition for only the second time in their history after coming through qualifying against Tromso. Fabian Hurzeler’s side now step into a league phase headlined by a visit from Monaco.
Their six fixtures are:
- Monaco (H)
- Panathinaikos (A)
- Universitatea Craiova (H)
- Getafe (A)
- Kauno Zalgiris (H)
- Jablonec (A)
Monaco at the Amex stands out as the marquee occasion, but trips to Panathinaikos and Getafe carry real jeopardy. Greek intensity and Spanish control will stretch Brighton’s European maturity.
Hearts, owned by Brighton chief Tony Bloom, share a Monaco showcase of their own in Edinburgh and face a compelling test against Mohamed Salah’s Trabzonspor, who also have Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana on loan.
Their path reads:
- Monaco (H)
- Pafos (A)
- Borac (H)
- Trabzonspor (A)
- Nordsjaelland (H)
- Thun (A)
A mix of established European names and awkward, lesser-known opponents – exactly the kind of blend that can define a season.
Conference League dates set
The Conference League league phase will run on six matchdays:
- 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 Sunderland’s San Siro pilgrimage to Bournemouth’s first taste of European nights and Brighton and Hearts sharing the Monaco spotlight, the stage is set. Now comes the real question: which of these British sides will still be standing when spring’s knockout football begins to bite?
