Atalanta will learn their opponent for the UEFA Conference League playoffs on August 3rd, 2026, with the draw taking place in Nyon, Switzerland. The two-legged playoff tie represents the final hurdle for the Bergamo club to overcome in order to reach the competition’s group stage.
This season’s Conference League format does not include direct qualification to the main phase, requiring all 36 participating teams to earn their place through preliminary rounds or the playoffs. Atalanta, benefiting from the UEFA ranking of the Italian federation, will enter the competition in the playoff stage, facing a single opponent in a home-and-away tie.
The draw in Nyon will be a key date for manager Maurizio Sarri and his squad, providing clarity on their first European challenge of the season. The club will be aiming to navigate this tie successfully to reach the Conference League group stages, a competition they will enter as one of the favorites.
Atalanta can focus on preparations for the upcoming domestic season while the earlier qualifying rounds of the Conference League unfold. The European debut under Sarri will also provide an early opportunity to assess the newly constructed squad and implement his tactical approach. Sarri was appointed manager earlier this year, tasked with building on Atalanta’s reputation for attacking football and European competitiveness.
The club is anticipating the August 3rd draw, which will reveal their playoff opponent and begin the first chapter of Atalanta’s European campaign under Sarri’s leadership. Recent reports suggest the club is also monitoring Albert Gudmundsson, with his potential arrival linked to the future of Samardzic, though no deal has been confirmed.
