Real Sociedad's full schedule for the UEFA Europa League league phase has been confirmed. The Basque club will play eight matches in this new stage of the competition. Pellegrino Matarazzo's side faces this European challenge amid a difficult start in La Liga, where they sit 20th with zero points from two games, having scored one goal and conceded five.
The team aims to turn things around this Wednesday against Celta Vigo at Anoeta, a key match you can track on our fixtures page. After that, all focus will shift to the continental competition.
When does Real Sociedad start in Europe?
The European debut for the season is set for September 17. Real Sociedad will host English side Bournemouth at the Anoeta Stadium at 21:00. This match kicks off a lengthy league phase that will run until late January 2027. The team will look to start with a home win to build momentum in the group.
After the English clash, the schedule takes Real to Belgium. On October 15 at 18:45, they will visit Union Saint-Gilloise. A week later, on October 22 at 21:00, the opponent will be Norwegian side Lillestrom, another trip to northern Europe.
Which matches will be played at Anoeta?
In addition to the opener against Bournemouth, the Donostia fans will see three other league phase matches at Anoeta. On November 5 at 18:45, one of the highlights arrives: the visit of Olympique Lyonnais. On December 10 at 21:00, it will be the turn of Portuguese side Torreense.
The final home game is scheduled for January 21, 2027, a day after the San Sebastián Day celebrations. The opponent will be Czech side Viktoria Plzen, starting at 18:45. These matches represent key opportunities to earn points in front of their own supporters and lift spirits after a tough league start that sees them seven points behind leaders Alaves.
What are the most challenging away trips?
The calendar reserves two particularly demanding trips for the final stretch of the phase. On November 26, Real will face Crystal Palace in London, with a 21:00 kick-off. It will be a significant test on English soil.
The final matchday, on January 28, 2027, presents perhaps the biggest challenge: a visit to Turin to face Juventus at 21:00. A European giant that will test Real Sociedad's qualification aspirations. The team's development over the coming months, which you can follow in our squad section, will be crucial to face this clash with confidence.
What does this schedule mean for the season?
The publication of the European calendar outlines a season with a very intense match load. Real Sociedad must combine their urgent improvement in La Liga, where their next stop is Celta, with an ambitious Europa League campaign. These eight phase matches will be interspersed with the domestic calendar, demanding rotation and squad depth.
For Matarazzo and his players, the objective is twofold: reignite their form in the national competition and compete strongly in Europe. Performance in these early continental commitments could provide the oxygen and confidence the team needs. Qualification for the next round will depend on points accumulated across this varied mosaic of opponents, from Bournemouth to Juventus. Fans can check the evolving league table in our standings section.
