The UEFA Europa League league-phase draw in Monte Carlo has set the stage for the 2026–27 campaign, with AC Milan and Juventus among the 36 clubs discovering their eight opponents. Each team will play eight matches—four at home and four away—against two opponents from each of the four seeding pots.

The league phase begins on 16 and 17 September and concludes on 28 January 2027. Unlike the former group-stage format, the competition now uses one table, meaning every result will contribute directly to the race for qualification.

Milan’s opponents
AC Milan will face:
– Benfica at home.
– Ferencváros at home.
– Sunderland at home.
– Ararat-Armenia at home.
– Olympiacos away.
– Salzburg away.
– Bournemouth away.
– Levski Sofia away.

The draw gives Milan two attractive fixtures against English opposition. Sunderland will visit San Siro in their first European campaign in 53 years, while Milan will travel to Bournemouth for a meeting with the Premier League club.

Milan will also face experienced European sides Benfica and Olympiacos, while Ferencváros, Salzburg, Ararat-Armenia and Levski Sofia provide a varied schedule across the eight matchdays.

Juventus’ opponents
Juventus will play:
– Real Sociedad at home.
– Rennes at home.
– Omonia at home.
– NEC at home.
– AZ Alkmaar away.
– Ferencváros away.
– Celta Vigo away.

Hapoel Be’er Sheva away.

Luciano Spalletti’s side avoided English opposition and will instead face teams from Spain, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Cyprus, Hungary and Israel. Real Sociedad and Rennes represent the most demanding home fixtures, while away games against AZ Alkmaar and Celta Vigo could provide difficult tests.

Milan and Juventus could not be drawn against each other because UEFA rules prevent teams from the same national association meeting during the league phase. Clubs can also face a maximum of two opponents from any one other country.

The league-phase standings will determine the next stage of the competition. The highest-ranked teams will advance directly to the knockout rounds, while others will need to navigate a play-off before continuing their European campaigns.

For Milan and Juventus, squad rotation will be essential. Both clubs must balance their domestic responsibilities with eight European fixtures spread across the autumn and winter. The opening matchdays in September will provide the first indication of whether either Italian giant can build momentum in the expanded competition.