Why are there Europa League matches on Wednesday?

What the report says

BBC Sport says nine Europa League matches are being played on Wednesday as the 2026-27 competition begins its league phase, which is earlier than the tournament’s usual Thursday night schedule. The article is presented as an explanation from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team and says the remaining nine matches in the opening round will follow on Thursday during the competition’s dedicated week.

The BBC notes that the Europa League, like the Conference League, normally uses Thursday nights, although fixture changes can happen when there are clashes with other European games in nearby regions. It says the opening round is split across two days this season, while the Champions League had a similar dedicated week last week. The Conference League also has a designated week later in the campaign, with the BBC saying that format began in the 2024-25 season when UEFA moved its club competitions to a league phase system.

Among the teams in action on Wednesday are Sunderland, AC Milan, Benfica and Lyon. Sunderland are highlighted as hosting AZ Alkmaar in what the club says will be its first European appearance since November 1973. The BBC lists the Wednesday fixtures and points readers to the article as part of its regular explainer service.