Sunderland are all set to play in their first European match in 53 years when they host AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday evening in their first Europa League test of the season.
For a club that has spent decades fighting between the English Premier League and the Championship, this marks a huge milestone for the Black Cats.
Just over four years ago they were languishing in League One, the third tier of English football, but they won promotion to the Championship in 2022 and climbed into the Premier League via the play-offs in May 2025.
They did remarkably well to secure a surprise seventh-place finish in their first season back in the Premier League, and will now compete among Europe’s elite this season.
The northeast club have a storied history, only six clubs have more top-flight English titles, but the sixth and last of those came way back in 1936.
Sunderland last won a major trophy in 1973, when they beat Leeds in the FA Cup final, and now the 49,000-capacity Stadium of Light, is staging Premier League football again and preparing to host continental football for the first time.
The appointment of Regis Le Bris as head coach in June 2024 proved a masterstroke, the Frenchman took the club back into the Premier League at the first attempt and they defied the odds last season.
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Joining Sunderland in the Europa League this season are Bournemouth, who are playing continental football for the first time in their history.
Andoni Iraola led the southcoast club to a sixth-place finish last season but then left for the Liverpool hot seat, meaning Marco Rose will be in charge.
Bournemouth, who travel to Spain to face Real Sociedad on Thursday, are yet to win in the Premier League this season despite leading in all four games after developing a frustrating habit of conceding late goals.
“Everyone here in Bournemouth is looking forward to this game,” said German coach Rose. “It’s going to be a special night for the club against top opposition. I’m really proud to be part of this.”
A third English club, Crystal Palace, are in the Europa League courtesy of winning the UEFA Conference League last season.
Premier League clubs have dominated the competition in recent seasons thanks to their vast resources with Aston Villa and Tottenham winning the Europa League in the past two seasons.
Europa League (Wednesday fixtures)
Ararat Armenia vs Sparta Prague – Varzgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium – 7:45PM
Omonia vs Celta Vigo – GSP Stadium – 7:45PM
AC Milan vs Benfica – San Siro – 10PM
Anderlecht vs Lyon – Lotto Park – 10PM
Bayer Leverkusen vs Celje – 10PM – BayArena
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Dinamo Zagreb – Superbet Arena Giuliesti – 10PM
Olympiakos vs Jagiellonia – Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium – 10PM
Sturm Graz vs Lens – Merkur Arena – 10PM
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar – Stadium of Light – 10PM