2026-27 Europa League Draw: Juventus and Milan Discover Group Stage Fate
Quick summary
The 2026-27 Europa League group stage draw has been completed, with Italian clubs Juventus, Milan, Roma, and Bologna all learning their opponents for the competition.
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Milan and Juventus discover their opponents in today’s draw for the league phase of the Europa League.
It begins at 13:00 CET [12:00 BST]
Milan finished sixth in Serie A in 2025-26, followed by Juventus.
Both Serie A sides are in Pot 1 in today’s draw.
Each of them will get two opponents from each of the four pots, playing four games away and four at home.
UEFA will release the fixture list tomorrow, Saturday, August 29.
Pot 1
Leverkusen (GER)
Benfica (POR)
Juventus (ITA)
Milan (ITA)
Lyon (FRA)
AZ Alkmaar (NED)
Olympiacos (GRE)
Real Sociedad (ESP)
Marseille (FRA)
Pot 2
Ferencváros (HUN)
Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)
Union SG (BEL)
GNK Dinamo (CRO)
Salzburg (AUT)
Celtic (SCO)
Sparta Praha (CZE)
Rennes (FRA)
Anderlecht (BEL)
Pot 3
Sturm Graz (AUT)
Lech Poznań (POL)
Crystal Palace (ENG)
Bournemouth (ENG)
Sunderland (ENG)
Celje (SVN)
Jagiellonia (POL)
Omonia (CYP)
Celta (ESP)
Pot 4
Hoffenheim (GER)
Beşiktaş (TUR)
Torreense (POR)
H. Beer-Sheva (ISR)
N.E.C. (NED)
OFI Crete (GRE)
Lillestrøm (NOR)
Levski Sofia (BUL)
Ararat-Armenia (ARM)
Europa League dates – League phase Matchday 1 : 16/17 September 2026
Matchday 2 : 15 October 2026
Matchday 3 : 22 October 2026
Matchday 4 : 5 November 2026
Matchday 5 : 26 November 2026
Matchday 6 : 10 December 2026
Matchday 7 : 21 January 2027
Matchday 8 : 28 January 2027
Europa League dates – knockout Knockout phase play-offs: 18 & 25 February 2027
Round of 16: 11 & 18 March 2027
Quarter-finals: 8 & 15 April 2027
Semi-finals: 29 April & 6 May 2027
Final (Frankfurt): 26 May 2027
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What happened
The draw for the 2026-27 Europa League group stage has taken place, setting the path for several Italian clubs in European competition. Juventus and AC Milan were among the headline Italian participants, joined by Roma and Bologna. The draw placed each club into groups with a mix of European opposition, including teams from the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and other leagues. Notable matchups emerged across the eight groups, with Italian sides facing familiar and new European challenges. The group stage will run through the autumn and early winter, culminating in knockout rounds in the new year.
Chance analysis
The Europa League draw gives shape to a competition that has grown in prestige and difficulty. For Juventus and Milan, the draw outcome will test squad depth and tactical adaptability against varied European styles. Italian clubs collectively hold four spots in the group stage, underscoring Serie A's strong coefficient and continued relevance in UEFA's secondary competition. The matchups set up several storylines — historical rivalries renewed, underdog challengers, and potential dark horses — that will define the narrative arc of the tournament from matchday one.
The draw determines all group-stage opponents for Juventus, Milan, Roma, and Bologna, shaping the difficulty and tactical demands of their European campaigns.