Europa League Draw: AC Milan and Juventus Learn 2026-27 Group Opponents

Italian clubs AC Milan and Juventus entered the 2026-27 Europa League hoping for favorable draws. With both teams failing to qualify for the Champions League, the focus shifted to making a deep run in Europe's second-tier competition.

Anticipation built as the draw approached, especially for Milan, who were seeded among the tournament's favorites, and for Juventus, eager for a strong European campaign. Fan discussions centered on potential matchups and the possibility of facing English or Spanish clubs.

On August 24, Sky Sports confirmed the Europa League draw would take place on August 28, with British clubs like Bournemouth and Sunderland also awaiting their fate. Fanpage outlined possible opponents for Milan and Juventus, noting the draw's significance for both teams.

The draw itself happened in Monaco, as reported by Adnkronos and La Repubblica. Milan was placed in a group with Benfica, Sunderland, and Bournemouth, according to multiple sources including CBS Sports and the BBC. Juventus, meanwhile, drew Real Sociedad, with some outlets such as La Repubblica and ANSA mentioning Rennes and AZ Alkmaar as additional opponents, though there is some discrepancy in the full list of group members.

For Bournemouth and Sunderland, the draw marked historic moments. Bournemouth will make their European debut, while Sunderland returns to continental competition after more than fifty years, as highlighted by the BBC and other British outlets. Milan's group is considered challenging, with two English sides and Portuguese giants Benfica.

Juventus's draw is seen as somewhat more manageable, with Real Sociedad as their main rival. The final group lists, however, differ slightly across outlets, with some reporting Rennes or AZ Alkmaar as additional opponents for Juventus.

The draw has set the stage for a competitive Europa League group phase. AC Milan will face Benfica, Sunderland, and Bournemouth, while Juventus is confirmed to play Real Sociedad and likely either Rennes or AZ Alkmaar, depending on the source.

Fans are now waiting for UEFA to release the official match calendar, which will clarify the order and dates of each fixture. The Europa League league phase begins on September 16, 2026, and the final is scheduled for May 26, 2027, in Frankfurt.

The next key step is the release of the full match schedule by UEFA, expected soon. This will allow teams and supporters to plan for travel and key matchups. The group stage will test both Milan and Juventus as they aim for a deep run in the competition.