Reporting note: this article draws on Sky Sports; Score808 Live provides the summary and editorial framing.
British Clubs Map Out European League Phase Campaigns
The league phase fixtures for both the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League were confirmed on Friday, setting up marquee continental clashes for British contenders across eight and six matchdays respectively between September and January.
Sunderland and Bournemouth Face AC Milan in Historic European Returns
Sunderland, marking their return to European football after a 53-year absence, face an away trip to the San Siro against Serie A giants AC Milan. Sunderland's eight-match slate also includes home fixtures against AZ Alkmaar, GNK Dinamo, Jagiellonia, and Levski Sofia, alongside away trips to Anderlecht, Lech Poznan, and Torreense.
Bournemouth, entering their first-ever continental campaign, will host AC Milan on the south coast. The Cherries will also welcome Viktoria Plzen, Sturm Graz, and Hapoel Be'er Sheva, with away matches scheduled against Real Sociedad, Sparta Prague, Celta Vigo, and Lillestrom.
Celtic and Crystal Palace Europa League Schedules
Celtic face a demanding slate headlined by a home fixture against Ligue 1 side Marseille and an away match against Marco Silva's Benfica. The Scottish champions will also play Ferencvaros (H), Union SG (A), Celta Vigo (H), Omonia (A), Besiktas (H), and Torreense (A).
Defending Conference League champions Crystal Palace transition to the Europa League with home games against Real Sociedad, Sparta Prague, Lech Poznan, and Hoffenheim, alongside travel to Lyon, Salzburg, Jagiellonia, and Besiktas.
Brighton and Hearts Set for Conference League Fixtures
In the Conference League, Brighton navigated past Tromso in qualifying to secure their place in the six-match league phase. Fabian Hürzeler's side will host Ligue 1's Monaco and face challenging trips to Panathinaikos and Getafe, accompanied by ties against Universitatea Craiova (H), Kauno Zalgiris (H), and Jablonec (A).
Scottish Premiership club Hearts will also host Monaco at Tynecastle and travel to Turkey to take on a Trabzonspor side featuring Mohamed Salah and on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana. Hearts complete their schedule against Pafos (A), Borac (H), Nordsjaelland (H), and Thun (A).
Key Tournament Dates and Next Steps
The Europa League league phase kicks off across September 16 and 17, concluding on January 28, 2027, before the final on May 26, 2027 at Stadion Frankfurt. The Conference League phase begins on October 15, wrapping up on December 17 ahead of the June 2, 2027 final at Besiktas Park in Istanbul.