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Sunderland's Glamour Trip to San Siro in Europa League

Sunderland’s 53-year wait for European football has been rewarded in the grandest way possible: a trip to the San Siro to face AC Milan.

On a day when the draws for the new-look league phases of both the Europa League and Conference League were made, British clubs discovered a mix of glamour, jeopardy and long-haul logistics stretching from September 2026 to January 2027.

Sunderland’s European return lit by Milan showdown

Sunderland, back in Europe for the first time since 1973, will not ease their way into continental life. Among their eight Europa League fixtures, the standout is clear – AC Milan away at the iconic San Siro.

They also host AZ Alkmaar, GNK Dinamo, Jagiellonia and Levski Sofia at the Stadium of Light, while travelling to Anderlecht, Lech Poznan and Torreense. For a club rebuilding its identity, these are heavyweight nights, both historic and unforgiving.

Bournemouth’s first European adventure brings Milan to town

If Sunderland go to Milan, Bournemouth bring Milan to the south coast.

In their first-ever European campaign, Bournemouth will welcome the seven-time European champions to the Vitality Stadium. It is the kind of fixture that would have sounded fanciful not long ago; now it is inked into the calendar.

Their league phase schedule also includes home games against Viktoria Plzen, Sturm Graz and Hapoel Be’er Sheva, with away trips to Real Sociedad, Sparta Prague, Celta and Lillestrom. No gentle introduction there either.

Celtic and Crystal Palace handed heavyweight tests

Celtic’s eight-match slate carries both prestige and peril. They host Marseille at Celtic Park and travel to Marco Silva’s Benfica, two fixtures that will define the mood of their campaign.

Their full programme: Marseille (H), Benfica (A), Ferencvaros (H), Union SG (A), Celta Vigo (H), Omonia (A), Besiktas (H) and Torreense (A). European pedigree everywhere you look.

Crystal Palace, fresh from lifting last season’s Conference League, step up a level and have been handed a demanding Europa League run. They face Real Sociedad at Selhurst Park and travel to Lyon, with Sparta Prague, Salzburg, Lech Poznan, Jagiellonia, Hoffenheim and Besiktas completing a stacked card of opponents.

Europa League calendar locked in

The Europa League’s league phase will see each club play eight matches, four home and four away, across a tight, winter-heavy schedule:

  • 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 ramps up:

  • 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

For Sunderland, Bournemouth, Celtic and Palace, every autumn and winter midweek now carries weight.

Brighton and Hearts braced for Monaco test in Conference League

In the Conference League, Brighton and Hearts both find themselves staring at the same blue-chip name: Monaco.

Brighton, in Europe for only the second time in their history, earned their place by beating Tromso in qualifying. Fabian Hurzeler’s side now face Monaco at home in what looks their toughest league-phase assignment.

They also travel to Panathinaikos and Getafe, two away days that promise hostile atmospheres and little margin for error. Universitatea Craiova, Kauno Zalgiris and Jablonec round off a group of opponents that offers opportunity as well as danger.

Hearts, owned by Brighton chief Tony Bloom, will also host Monaco at Tynecastle, another marquee night for the Scottish Premiership side. Their schedule includes an eye-catching trip to Trabzonspor, where Mohamed Salah and on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana are among the star attractions.

Hearts’ full list of fixtures reads: Monaco (H), Pafos (A), Borac (H), Trabzonspor (A), Nordsjaelland (H), Thun (A).

Conference League dates set

The Conference League league phase, six games per club, is packed into a three-month window:

  • 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 Brighton’s south-coast nights under the lights to Sunderland’s San Siro pilgrimage and Hearts’ collision with Monaco and Trabzonspor, British clubs now know the road ahead.

The question is simple: who will still be standing when Europe’s spring knockouts begin?

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