Europa League: AC Milan, Benfica and Lyon begin new league phase

The Europa League’s first league-phase matchday gets under way on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, with a series of high-profile fixtures scheduled across Europe.

AC Milan host SL Benfica at San Siro in the standout match of the opening round, while Olympique Lyonnais face a difficult away trip to RSC Anderlecht.

The clubs will be aiming for a winning start as they look to establish themselves near the top of the single league table. Bayer Leverkusen welcome NK Celje, Sturm Graz meet Stade Rennais in another closely balanced contest, and Sunderland AFC take on AZ Alkmaar in an English-hosted fixture.

The opening programme also includes matches involving Omonia Nicosie, Celta Vigo, FC Ararat-Armenia, Sparta Prague, Olympiakos, Jagiellonia Białystok, Hapoel Beer-Sheva and Dinamo Zagreb.

All kick-off times are in GMT.

16:45 GMT

– Omonia Nicosie v Celta Vigo – FC Ararat-Armenia v Sparta Prague

19:00 GMT

– AC Milan v SL Benfica – RSC Anderlecht v Olympique Lyonnais – Bayer Leverkusen v NK Celje – Sturm Graz v Stade Rennais – Sunderland AFC v AZ Alkmaar – Olympiakos v Jagiellonia Białystok – Hapoel Beer-Sheva v Dinamo Zagreb