The draw for the UEFA Conference League has set up a historic autumn for Irish football, with both Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers confirmed in the league phase of the competition.

It is the first time two League of Ireland clubs will contest the group stage of a European tournament in the same season, underlining the growing strength of the domestic game.

For Shelbourne, the campaign represents uncharted territory. Their debut in the league phase comes with a headline fixture against Crystal Palace, the Premier League club set to visit Dublin in what will be one of the most high-profile nights in the club’s history.

While Tolka Park has long been Shels’ home, UEFA stadium requirements mean their European fixtures are expected to be staged at Tallaght Stadium, a Category 3 venue that meets the competition’s criteria.

The draw also pits Joey O’Brien’s side against AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands, where Republic of Ireland international Troy Parrott is on the books, as well as Celje of Slovenia, Shkendija of North Macedonia, Drita from Kosovo, and Sweden’s Häcken.

Shamrock Rovers, no strangers to European football in recent years, face a demanding set of opponents.

Shakhtar Donetsk will come to Tallaght in one of the standout ties, while away trips to Sparta Praha in the Czech Republic, AEK Athens in Greece, and Breiðablik in Iceland will test their travelling support.

Domestically, they will also host Celje and Malta’s Hamrun Spartans.

The draw guarantees a series of glamour nights in Dublin, with clubs from six different countries set to face Irish opposition.

This year’s competition will again be played under UEFA’s Swiss Model, a system that eliminates traditional group stages. Instead of being placed into groups of four, all 36 teams are drawn into a single league table.

The top eight teams after the league phase progress automatically to the Round of 16. Those ranked 9th to 24th will enter a play-off round, while the bottom 12 are eliminated.

Matchday 1: Thursday, 2 October 2025

Matchday 2: Thursday, 23 October 2025

Matchday 3: Thursday, 6 November 2025

Matchday 4: Thursday, 27 November 2025

Matchday 5: Thursday, 11 December 2025

Matchday 6: Thursday, 18 December 2025

Looking back on last year’s competition, these are the rewards that teams are potentially in line for the more progress they make and the better results they attain.

The amount secured by getting this far is likely to be similar to last year at a level of just over €3 million.

Each win in the group phase is worth €400,000 and each draw €133,000.

Finishing in the Top 8 will get a bonus of €400,000 while coming between 9th and 24th and making it to the playoff phase for the knock out rounds is worth €200,000.

Last year’s tournament winners, Chelsea secured a bonus on top of these payments of €7 million.

 

SPORT FOR BUSINESS AUTUMN EVENTS

On Wednesday, September 10th, we will host a special event looking at Future Proofing Irish Sport, including the use of AI in sport.

 

Then on September 25th we will host our Annual Children in Sport Conference, on October 14th, our Annual Sport for Social Good Event, in November a new event focused on Sustainability in Sport and in December our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference, in partnership with Lidl.

Find out More about Our Sport for Business Events Programme Here

BOOK YOUR EARLY BIRD TICKETS FOR THESE EVENTS HERE

 

The Latest Sport for Business Podcasts

 

Further Reading for Sport for Business members:

Check out more of our Sport for Business coverage of Football

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS

Shelbourne FC and Shamrock Rovers, as well as all the leading sporting and business organisations in and around the world of sport are among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business community.  

This includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland.  

Find out more about becoming a member today.

Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.

Sign up for our News Bulletins here.