From draw to delivery: Clubs prepare for the 2026/27 European season
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Article summary
Representatives of clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and UEFA Youth League gathered at UEFA HQ in Switzerland this week to begin turning their league phase fixtures into coordinated matchday plans.
Article top media content
Article body
Last week’s league phase draws decided who would meet on the pitch and, days later, club representatives came face to face in Nyon to begin planning how those matches will be delivered.
Across two days at the House of European Football, representatives involved in the 2026/27 men’s club competitions and UEFA Youth League met UEFA experts and their future opponents to align on the operational and regulatory details underpinning the season.
Fixtures by team
The programme combined competition-specific briefings with face-to-face operational meetings between clubs, coordinating matters including stadium operations, training arrangements, ticketing and security before the opening matches begin next week.
"This event is extremely important because our competitions are a partnership between UEFA and the clubs, relying on positive cooperation and seamless events," said UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti. "It can only help to bring clubs together at the beginning of the season to exchange important information, grow their networks, plan for the season ahead and tackle specific challenges together. Over the years, we have seen the benefits of this exchange and setting the standard for what is required to deliver successful matches and events."
Open and inclusive competitions
A total of 39 national associations/countries are represented in this season's league phases of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
Inter Escaldes' qualification for the Conference League means that Andorra becomes the 53rd national association to have had representation at this stage of a UEFA competition.
Future opponents plan together
Among the many future opponents brought together in Nyon were three-time European champions Manchester United and European debutants Como, who will meet in Italy on matchday three of the Champions League.
"It’s a huge experience for the club with our short but interesting history, facing incredible clubs like Manchester United, so it’s going to be fantastic," said Como organisational secretary Alessandro Camponeschi.
"It’s great to be here and it’s important for us to start a good relationship with the other clubs, so it’s good to meet face to face."
For Manchester United secretary Rebecca Britain, the value of those personal connections applies whether the club is meeting a newcomer or renewing a long-standing European relationship.
"It’s always really good to be able to meet people in person. There is a real benefit in being able to speak face to face and pick up some important conversations instead of waiting for an email," Britain said.
"It’s very helpful to see the UEFA presentations and I am sure this applies to everyone, whether it’s Manchester United with a long history here or our opponents, Como and Sabah, who are both here for the first time.
"The variety in the fixtures is very interesting, so it’s great to be able to work alongside these clubs, as well as opponents like Bayern, where we have a strong relationship and have interacted a lot down the years."
Expert support in one place
Alongside building relationships between clubs, the event provided briefings designed to align participants on key operational and regulatory requirements.
In addition, representatives could also speak with UEFA specialists in five areas: football operations, player registration, disciplinary matters, financial distribution and commercial operations.
Its one-stop format allowed clubs to meet their key contacts who will support them throughout the campaign, raise individual questions, clarify procedures and obtain practical guidance before returning home.
When Manchester United and Como eventually walk out for their October meeting, attention will be firmly on the action on the pitch. Much of the work required to deliver the occasion, however, has already begun.
From first introductions to the final whistle, every European fixture relies on opponents working together. The draws established the destination, with the journey firmly in motion following this week’s meetings.
Did you know?
There are 16 clubs competing in the group/league phase of a European competition for the first time this season, compared with 14 in the first season of the new format (2024/25) and 12 last season.
UEFA Champions League: Como (Italy) and Sabah (Azerbaijan).
UEFA Europa League: Ararat Armenia (Armenia), Bournemouth (England), Lillestrom (Norway), OFI Crete (Greece), Sunderland (England) and Torreense (Portugal).
UEFA Conference League: Aarhus (Denmark), Egnatia (Albania), Iberia Tbilisi (Georgia), Inter Escaldes (Andorra), Kauno Zalgiris (Lithuania), Mjallby (Sweden), RIga (Latvia) and Sint Truidense (Belgium).