Sunderland's Dramatic Return to European Football at San Siro

Sunderland’s 53-year wait for European football ends in the most dramatic way possible: a night under the lights at the San Siro against AC Milan.

The Europa League and Conference League league-phase draws were completed on Friday, mapping out a packed schedule from September 2026 to January 2027 and throwing up a series of heavyweight clashes for British clubs – and a few daunting away days.

Sunderland and Bournemouth draw AC Milan

Sunderland’s return to Europe could hardly be more romantic. Their first continental campaign in over half a century will include a trip to one of football’s great cathedrals, AC Milan’s San Siro, as part of an eight-game Europa League schedule.

Their league-phase path is demanding and varied. Sunderland will face AZ Alkmaar, GNK Dinamo, Jagiellonia, Lech Poznan, Levski Sofia and Torreense, with four matches at home and four away:

• AZ Alkmaar (H)
• AC Milan (A)
• GNK Dinamo (H)
• Anderlecht (A)
• Jagiellonia (H)
• Lech Poznan (A)
• Levski Sofia (H)
• Torreense (A)

Bournemouth, stepping into European competition for the first time in their history, also collide with Milan – but they get the Italian giants on the south coast.

Their draw mixes tradition, travel and potential pitfalls. Real Sociedad, Viktoria Plzen, Sparta Prague, Sturm Graz, Celta, Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Lillestrom complete a demanding list:

• AC Milan (H)
• Real Sociedad (A)
• Viktoria Plzen (H)
• Sparta Prague (A)
• Sturm Graz (H)
• Celta (A)
• Hapoel Be’er Sheva (H)
• Lillestrom (A)

Two clubs at very different points in their European story. One rediscovering old dreams. One writing its first chapter. Both staring at AC Milan.

Celtic and Crystal Palace land big names

Celtic’s Europa League campaign is laced with pedigree. The Scottish champions will host Marseille and travel to Marco Silva’s Benfica in a group of fixtures that offers little room to breathe.

Their eight opponents provide a spread of styles and atmospheres across the continent:

• 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, now step up a level. The reward is a Europa League schedule that looks like a tour of Europe’s most awkward away grounds.

Palace will host LaLiga side Real Sociedad and travel to Lyon, with Sparta Prague, Salzburg, Lech Poznan, Jagiellonia, Hoffenheim and Besiktas completing a heavyweight run:

• Real Sociedad (H)
• Lyon (A)
• Sparta Prague (H)
• Salzburg (A)
• Lech Poznan (H)
• Jagiellonia (A)
• Hoffenheim (H)
• Besiktas (A)

From Selhurst Park to Istanbul via Lyon and Salzburg – Palace’s European education is about to accelerate.

Europa League calendar set

All Europa League clubs will play eight league-phase matches, four home and four away, between mid-September and late January:

• 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

The knockout phase then takes over:

• 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 point from September to January will shape who gets anywhere near Frankfurt in May.

Brighton and Hearts learn Conference League fate

In the Conference League, Brighton are back for only the second European campaign in the club’s history. They reached the league phase by beating Tromso in qualifying; now the level rises.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side will face Monaco at home in what looks like their marquee tie of the phase. The trip to Greece to meet Panathinaikos and a journey to Spain to face Getafe add real edge to a six-game run:

• Monaco (H)
• Panathinaikos (A)
• Universitatea Craiova (H)
• Getafe (A)
• Kauno Zalgiris (H)
• Jablonec (A)

For Hearts, there is a familiar connection. The Scottish Premiership club, owned by Brighton chief Tony Bloom, will also host Monaco. Their schedule includes a standout away tie at Trabzonspor, where Mohamed Salah and on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana are among the headline names.

Hearts’ six Conference League opponents:

• Monaco (H)
• Pafos (A)
• Borac (H)
• Trabzonspor (A)
• Nordsjaelland (H)
• Thun (A)

Two Bloom-linked clubs, two meetings with Monaco, and a shared ambition to prove they belong at this level.

Conference League dates locked in

The Conference League league phase is shorter but no less intense, with 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 Europe, from Celtic’s duels with Marseille and Benfica to Brighton and Hearts sharing Monaco on their dance card, the stage is set.

Now the question is simple: which of these British sides will still be standing when the knockouts bite?