Europa League Matchday Preview: Full Fixture Guide
Europa League Matchday 1 takes place across Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September, with every team beginning an eight-match schedule against eight different opponents.
This preview covers the complete Matchday 1 fixture list, highlights some of the most notable games and explains how the opening round fits into the new league-phase format.
With 18 matches spread across two days, there is plenty to follow as clubs begin their campaigns and look to build an early position in the table.
What Are The Europa League Matchday 1 Fixtures?
Matchday 1 is the opening round of the 2026/27 Europa League league phase. Unlike the former group-stage system, all 36 participating clubs are placed into one overall league table.
Each side plays eight league-phase matches, four at home and four away, against eight different opponents.
The top eight teams at the end of the eight-match league phase qualify directly for the round of 16. Teams finishing ninth to 24th enter the knockout phase play-offs, while those finishing 25th to 36th are eliminated from the competition.
Matchday 1 is split between Wednesday 16 September and Thursday 17 September. UEFA lists kick-off times in Central European Time; the times below are converted to BST for UK readers.
The latest Europa League fixtures can be found below:
Wednesday, 16 September
Omonia vs Celta – 5:45pm
Ararat-Armenia vs Sparta Praha – 5:45pm
Olympiacos vs Jagiellonia – 8pm
Anderlecht vs Lyon – 8pm
Leverkusen vs Celje – 8pm
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar – 8pm
Milan vs Benfica – 8pm
Sturm Graz vs Rennes – 8pm
H. Beer-Sheva vs Dinamo Zagreb – 8pm
Thursday, 17 September
Levski Sofia vs RB Salzburg – 5:45pm
OFI vs Hoffenheim – 5:45pm
Celtic vs Ferencvaros – 8pm
Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen – 8pm
Viktoria Plzen vs Union Saint-Gilloise – 8pm
Besiktas vs Marseille – 8pm
Lillestrom vs Torreense – 8pm
Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznan – 8pm
Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth – 8pm
The schedule includes several meetings between established European names and clubs making their mark on the competition. Milan v Benfica, BeÅŸiktaÅŸ v Marseille, Juventus v N.E.C. and Real Sociedad v Bournemouth are among the ties that give the opening round particular interest.
The league phase continues with Matchday 2 on 15 October, followed by further rounds on 22 October, 5 November, 26 November, 10 December, 21 January and 28 January.
Europa League Matchday 1: Game of the Week Preview
Milan v Benfica stands out as one of the headline fixtures of Matchday 1. Both clubs are among the nine teams placed in Pot 1 for the league-phase draw, and the meeting brings together two sides with extensive European histories.
Milan begin the league phase at San Siro, while Benfica travel to Italy for the opening round. The fixture is also the first of eight league-phase matches for each club, making the result relevant to their early position in the single-table standings rather than a traditional group table.
There are plenty of other significant fixtures on the opening schedule. Bayer Leverkusen host Celje, Juventus welcome N.E.C., Beşiktaş face Marseille in Istanbul and Real Sociedad entertain Bournemouth. Crystal Palace also begin their European campaign at home to Lech Poznań, while Sunderland host AZ Alkmaar.
What Were The Europa League Matchday 1 Results?
The first matchday of the Europa League is yet to be completed, therefore no results are currently available.
Once the first round of games is completed, the results will be updated here.
Bet on the Europa League at Bet442
Bet442 offers a wide range of football markets, including match result, goals, player contributions and in-play options, all in a secure and easy-to-use setting.
Deposits and withdrawals use trusted methods for convenience and peace of mind, and our support team is on hand if you need help navigating the site or have a question about your account.
Bet442 is licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring a safe and secure betting experience.
Always remember to gamble responsibly by sticking to a strict budget within your means and making use of any responsible gambling tools available.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.