Archive · 28 Aug 2026
AC Milan Draws Sunderland, Bournemouth in Europa League Phase
AC Milan learned which teams it will play in the Europa League.
It will host Sunderland and Benfica at San Siro.
Milan will also travel to England to play Bournemouth.
New coach Ruben Amorim will lead Milan in these matches.
Juventus will face teams from Spain and Israel.
Crystal Palace will finally play in the Europa League after missing out the previous year.
The competition begins on September 16-17 and has 36 teams.
UEFA will distribute 565 million euros in prize money among them.
AC Milan will host Sunderland and travel to Bournemouth in the Europa League league phase.
Milan will also host Benfica during the eight-game phase under new coach Ruben Amorim.
Juventus was drawn against Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo and Hapoel Beer-Sheva.
Crystal Palace will enter the Europa League after its previous participation was blocked over shared ownership links with Lyon.
Europa League matches begin September 16-17, with the final scheduled for May at Eintracht Frankfurt’s stadium.
- Who
- AC Milan, Juventus, Crystal Palace and 33 other teams will compete, with Ruben Amorim coaching Milan.
- What
- The Europa League league-phase draw set each team’s eight opponents.
- When
- Matches begin September 16-17; the eighth and final league-phase round is January 28, with the final in May.
- Where
- The draw took place in Monaco; the final will be played at Eintracht Frankfurt’s stadium.
- Why
- The draw organized the 36-team Europa League league phase and its fixtures.
- Milan opponents
- Sunderland, Bournemouth and Benfica
- Juventus opponents
- Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo and Hapoel Beer-Sheva
- Competition format
- A 36-team league phase in which each team plays eight games
- Opening dates
- September 16-17
- Final league-phase round
- January 28
- Prize money
- UEFA will distribute 565 million euros, or about $658 million
- Final venue
- Eintracht Frankfurt’s stadium