Stade Rennais FC now has its complete schedule for the 2026-2027 Europa League league phase. The draw, held on Friday, August 28 at 13:00, placed the Breton club in a slate of eight opponents, including the prestigious Juventus, as reported by Actu.fr.
Who will Stade Rennais FC face in the Europa League?
The Rouge et Noir will meet two teams from each of the draw's four pots. The most anticipated clash is undoubtedly the trip to Turin to face Juventus. The other opponents are Olympiacos, GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Sparta Praha, Omonia Nicosia, Sturm Graz, OFI Crete, and NEC Nijmegen. The exact match schedule, with the order of home and away games, will be announced this weekend. Supporters can already check all the club's commitments on our fixtures page.
How does the new Europa League format work?
This edition introduces a 36-team league phase, replacing the old group stage format. Each club plays eight matches, four at home and four away. The matchday dates are already set: the first will be on September 16-17, 2026, followed by matches on October 15, October 22, November 5, November 26, and December 10 of the same year. The final two matchdays will be played in January 2027, on the 21st and 28th. This competition marks Stade Rennais FC's major return to the European stage after several seasons away.
What happens after the Europa League league phase?
After these eight matches, a single overall ranking will determine the qualifiers for the knockout phase. Teams placed between 9th and 24th will contest play-offs on February 18 and 25, 2027. The round of 16 is scheduled for March 11 and 18, the quarter-finals for April 8 and 15, and the semi-finals for April 29 and May 6, 2027. The final will be held on May 26, 2027 in Frankfurt, Germany. The road to the final four promises to be long and demanding.
What does this draw mean for Stade Rennais FC' ambitions?
Despite the presence of a giant like Juventus, the draw is generally seen as favourable for the Bretons. The other opponents, although all experienced in European cups, seem within reach of a Stade Rennais FC team aiming for a spot in the knockout phase. The variety of playing styles, from the Greek, Croatian, Czech, Cypriot, Austrian, and Dutch leagues, will provide an interesting test. Squad management and player availability will be key elements, which you can follow via our squad page.
Preparation for this European campaign begins immediately. The team will have to balance commitments in Ligue 1 with this double round of Europa League fixtures each month. The primary objective will be to qualify directly for the round of 16 by finishing among the top eight in the overall standings, thus avoiding the play-offs. Performance in the domestic league, visible on our standings page, will also be crucial for morale and momentum before each continental fixture.
