British Clubs Gear Up for Europa and Conference League Draws This Friday
The upcoming draws for the Europa League and Conference League will see several British clubs, including Bournemouth, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace, learning their opponents. When is the draw? The Europa League draw is scheduled for 12 PM UK time on Friday, followed immediately by the Conference League draw, which may feature teams like Brighton, Hearts, Hibs, Motherwell, Rangers, and Larne. Europa League Participants: Qualified Teams: - AC Milan, AZ Alkmaar, Bayer Leverkusen, Bournemouth, Celta Vigo, Crystal Palace, Hoffenheim, Juventus, Marseille, Olympiacos, Real Sociedad, Rennes, Sparta Prague, Sturm Graz, Sunderland, Torreense, Union Saint-Gilloise Potential Additions: Teams like Celtic, Dinamo Zagreb, and Fenerbahce could enter if they lose in the Champions League play-off round. Conference League Overview: All 36 teams enter through qualifying, with no direct slots. Possible entrants include Ajax, Atalanta, Brighton, Hearts, and Rangers. League Phase Format: Europa League: Each club plays eight matches against different opponents. Conference League: Each side faces six teams. Key Dates for Matches: Europa League: Matches start on September 16/17 and conclude with the final on May 26, 2027. Conference League: Begins on October 15 and culminates with the final on June 2, 2027. Both tournaments promise exciting matchups as clubs vie for a place in knockout stages, with the top eight in each league advancing automatically.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-08-24