French football clubs Olympique Lyonnais, Olympique de Marseille, Stade Rennais and AS Monaco learned their opponents for the upcoming European campaign at the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League draws held in Monaco on Friday.
The ceremonies took place one day after UEFA completed the Champions League draw, establishing the tournament paths for France's remaining entries across Europe's secondary and tertiary club competitions.
Europa League draws for Lyon, Marseille and Rennes
Olympique Lyonnais entered the Europa League after their elimination by Turkish side Fenerbahce in the Champions League play-offs on Wednesday. The loss means Lyon, featuring midfielder Corentin Tolisso, will not take part in Europe's top club competition this season.
In the Europa League stage, Lyon will face former manager Pierre Sage, who now leads English Premier League team Crystal Palace. Lyon will host German club Bayer Leverkusen at home, while also playing Real Sociedad, Union Saint-Gilloise, Anderlecht, Jagiellonia Bialystok, Lillestrom and Hoffenheim.
Olympique de Marseille qualified for the Europa League after finishing fifth in Ligue 1 last season. Managed by Bruno Genesio, Marseille will also meet German side Bayer Leverkusen. The French team faces demanding away fixtures against Besiktas in Turkey and Celtic Glasgow in Scotland, alongside their trip to Leverkusen. Marseille's other opponents include Olympiakos, Anderlecht, Celta Vigo, Sturm Graz and Levski Sofia.
Stade Rennais return to European competition after a two-year absence, receiving a manageable draw after being placed in Pot 2. The Breton side will travel to Italy to face Serie A club Juventus Turin. Rennes will also test themselves against Olympiacos, Dinamo Zagreb, Sparta Prague, Omonia Nicosia, Sturm Graz, OFI Crete and NEC Nijmegen.
Conference League fixtures for Monaco
AS Monaco stand as the sole French representative in the Conference League following their play-off victory over Polish team Gornik Zabrze. Managed by Filipe Luis, the team from the principality received a relatively favorable schedule.
Monaco will travel for away matches against English side Brighton, Scottish team Heart of Midlothian and Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia. In home fixtures, Monaco will host Lincoln Red Imps, Danish club Nordsjaelland and German side Freiburg. Freiburg, who reached the Europa League final last season, are expected to be Monaco's toughest challenge of the opening phase.
Tournament schedule and finals
The first matchday of the Europa League will take place on September 16 and 17. The competition will conclude with the final in Frankfurt, Germany, on May 26, 2027.
The Conference League opening matchday is scheduled for October 15. Its final will be played at the stadium of Turkish club Besiktas in Istanbul on June 2, 2027.
The Europa League and Conference League are major annual European club competitions organized by UEFA, the governing body of football in Europe. Ligue 1 serves as France's top professional football division, sending its qualified teams into European tournament play each year.
