Sunderland to host AZ Alkmaar at Stadium of Light on September 17 in Europa League matchday 1

Sunderland host AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England, on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in matchday 1 of the UEFA Europa League; the tie kicks off on that date. Sunderland are making their first European appearance in 53 years and last played in European competition in 1973.

Sunderland arrive after a home defeat to Premier League winners Arsenal this weekend and following a seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season that earned them UEFA qualification. The club climbed from English football’s third level only five seasons ago to reach this continental stage.

AZ Alkmaar enter the fixture after maintaining an undefeated domestic record with an Eredivisie draw against Willem II on Friday. Although AZ finished eighth in the Eredivisie last season, they secured Europa League qualification by winning the KNVB Beker for the fifth time in club history, defeating NEC 5-1 in the final in April.

AZ sit second in the domestic standings and are equal on points with PSV at the summit. The Dutch side are preparing for their seventh season in the Europa League and last season reached the Conference League quarter-finals, where they lost 5-2 on aggregate to Shakhtar Donetsk.

The match is scheduled to start at 12:30 AM IST on Thursday, September 17, 2026, and will be played at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England. Fans in India can watch live on the Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV; viewers in the United Kingdom can follow the game on TNT Sports. "Fans in this nation can view this Europa League fixture live via Sky Italia." In the United States of America the fixture will be available via Paramount+, DAZN, and TUDN.

AZ shared a social media post ahead of the trip, writing: "💥 We are here! #AZAlkmaar #sunaz #UEL #TheFutureIsOurs pic.twitter.com/iZsRocWSOj" For additional coverage, Khel Now advises following its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, downloading the Khel Now Android App or IOS App, or joining its Telegram community.

This fixture opens both clubs’ Europa League campaigns as matchday 1 of the UEFA Europa League 2026-27.