Europa League: Sunderland to face AC Milan away, Bournemouth host Italian giants.

Premier League clubs Sunderland and Bournemouth have been handed high-profile fixtures against Italian giants AC Milan in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase. The draw, held in Monaco on Friday, August 28, produced an intriguing matchup for both English clubs, with Sunderland set to travel to the San Siro while Bournemouth will welcome the seven-time European champions to England. For Sunderland, the fixture represents a significant moment in the club’s return to European football. The Black Cats are back in continental competition for the first time in 53 years and will now face one of Europe’s most decorated clubs in their campaign. Bournemouth, meanwhile, will face AC Milan in what will be the club’s first-ever European campaign. The Premier League side will have the advantage of playing the Italian giants at home when the two teams meet. AC Milan will enter the competition under manager Rúben Amorim and were drawn alongside eight different opponents. In addition to the two English clubs, Milan will face Benfica, Olympiacos, Ferencváros, Salzburg, Ararat-Armenia and Levski Sofia. According to the club’s official fixture outline, Milan will host Benfica, Ferencváros, Sunderland and Ararat-Armenia, while their away fixtures will be against Olympiacos, Salzburg, Bournemouth and Levski Sofia. The new Europa League format means each of the 36 participating teams will play eight league-phase matches against eight different opponents, with four games at home and four away. The teams finishing in the top eight at the end of the league phase will advance directly to the round of 16. Clubs finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a two-legged knockout play-off, while those placed from 25th to 36th will be eliminated from the competition. The league phase is scheduled to begin in September, with the opening matchday taking place on September 16 and 17. The final will be played at Frankfurt’s Waldstadion on May 26, 2027. The Milan fixtures are expected to be among the most anticipated games of the league phase, particularly for Sunderland, whose return to European football now comes with an immediate test against one of the continent’s biggest clubs. For Bournemouth, the encounter offers an equally memorable introduction to European competition, with the club preparing to welcome a side with a rich history of success on the continental stage.