Sunderland's European Journey: San Siro Awaits

Sunderland’s 53-year wait for European football has delivered the glamour tie they craved. Their reward: a trip to the San Siro to face seven-time European champions AC Milan in the Europa League league phase.

Bournemouth, stepping into Europe for the first time in their history, will welcome the same Serie A giants to the south coast in what will be a landmark night for the club.

The revamped league-phase draws for both the Europa League and Conference League were confirmed on Friday. Europa League sides will play eight games, four home and four away, between September 2026 and January 2027. Conference League clubs face six, split evenly home and away, across the same period.

Sunderland’s long wait ends with a giant

More than half a century after their last European appearance, Sunderland return to the continental stage with a schedule that mixes romance with real jeopardy.

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 trip to Milan stands out. San Siro, under the lights, against one of Europe’s true heavyweights – it is the kind of night Sunderland supporters have imagined for generations.

Bournemouth’s European debut brings AC Milan to town

Bournemouth’s first steps into Europe could hardly be more demanding.

Their league-phase run includes a home tie against AC Milan, plus visits to Real Sociedad and Sparta Prague. Viktoria Plzen, Sturm Graz, Celta Vigo, Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Lillestrom complete a varied and testing schedule.

For a club that not long ago was fighting for its Football League status, hosting Milan in a competitive European tie marks a staggering rise.

Celtic and Palace eye deep Europa League runs

Celtic, regulars on the European circuit, have been handed a demanding but enticing slate of fixtures.

They will host Marseille, Ferencvaros, Celta Vigo and Besiktas at Celtic Park, and travel to Benfica, Union SG, Omonia and Torreense. Trips to Lisbon and Brussels, plus a home meeting with Marseille, offer both pedigree and pressure.

Crystal Palace, fresh from winning last season’s Conference League, step up to the Europa League with confidence and a notably tough draw.

Selhurst Park will stage games against Real Sociedad, Sparta Prague, Lech Poznan and Hoffenheim. Palace will also go on the road to Lyon, Salzburg, Jagiellonia and Besiktas. It is a schedule that feels like a genuine test of their new European credentials.

Europa League key dates

The Europa League league phase unfolds as follows:

• Matchday 1: September 16/17, 2026
• Matchday 2: October 15, 2026
• Matchday 3: October 22, 2026
• Matchday 4: November 5, 2026
• Matchday 5: November 26, 2026
• Matchday 6: December 10, 2026
• Matchday 7: January 21, 2027
• Matchday 8: January 28, 2027

From there, the knockout picture takes shape:

• 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

Brighton and Hearts plot Conference League journeys

In the Conference League, Brighton return to Europe for only the second time in their history, having seen off Tromso in qualifying to reach the league phase.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side face Monaco at home in what looks their standout fixture. Panathinaikos away in Greece and Getafe away in Spain add serious edge to their campaign. Universitatea Craiova, Kauno Zalgiris and Jablonec round out a group of opponents that will test Brighton’s depth and adaptability.

Their fixtures are: Monaco (H), Panathinaikos (A), Universitatea Craiova (H), Getafe (A), Kauno Zalgiris (H), Jablonec (A).

Hearts, owned by Brighton chief Tony Bloom, are also in the Conference League and share one marquee opponent with the Seagulls – Monaco, who will visit Tynecastle.

The Scottish Premiership club will also face Pafos away, Borac at home, Trabzonspor away, Nordsjaelland at home and Thun away. The trip to Trabzon brings added stardust, with Mohamed Salah and on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana among the names on the Turkish side’s books.

Hearts’ schedule reads: Monaco (H), Pafos (A), Borac (H), Trabzonspor (A), Nordsjaelland (H), Thun (A).

Conference League fixture list

The Conference League league phase will run on these dates:

• Matchday 1: October 15, 2026
• Matchday 2: October 22, 2026
• Matchday 3: November 5, 2026
• Matchday 4: November 26, 2026
• Matchday 5: December 10, 2026
• Matchday 6: December 17, 2026

From Sunderland’s San Siro dream to Bournemouth’s first European bow and Brighton and Hearts chasing their own stories, British clubs now know the road ahead. The question is simple: who will still be standing when Frankfurt and late May come into view?