AFC Ajax have received their full fixture schedule for the 2026/27 UEFA Conference League group stage. The Amsterdam side will begin their European campaign on Thursday, October 15 with an away match against Hajduk Split in Croatia, kicking off at 21:00, as reported by NU.nl Sport on Friday following the announcement of the match dates.
Manager Míchel's team will face Hajduk Split, Atalanta, FC Midtjylland, FC Thun, STVV and Getafe in a six-team group. Ajax currently sits ninth in the Eredivisie with four points from two matches, following a draw and a win. The team has scored four goals and conceded two. The next major test is the home match against second-placed PSV Eindhoven on September 5.
When will Ajax play their Conference League matches?
After the opener in Split, the first home match at the Johan Cruijff ArenA follows a week later, on Thursday, October 22 against Italian side Atalanta. That match also kicks off at 21:00. The third matchday takes Ajax to Denmark for a clash with FC Midtjylland on Thursday, November 5, with an earlier start time of 18:45.
The final three group matches follow in November and December. On Thursday, November 26, Ajax hosts Swiss club FC Thun at 18:45. The final away match is on Thursday, December 10 at Belgian club STVV (Sint-Truiden) at 21:00. The group stage concludes on Thursday, December 17 with a home match against Spanish side Getafe, also at 21:00. The complete overview of all upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page.
What does the competition in the group look like?
Ajax meets a varied selection of clubs from six different countries in Group H. The biggest challenge appears to be Italian side Atalanta, a regular in European competition. Croatian club Hajduk Split is a traditional side with a strong home reputation. Danish champions FC Midtjylland are a familiar opponent from previous European campaigns. Swiss club FC Thun and Belgian STVV are relatively unknown to Ajax. Spanish club Getafe rounds out the group. It will be up to Míchel and his squad to prove themselves against this mix of styles.
What does this mean for Ajax's planning?
The announcement of the European schedule has immediate consequences for the club's planning. Eredivisie matches around the European dates must be coordinated accordingly. For the technical staff, the concrete preparation work on the opponents now begins. The playing squad will face a busy schedule of six European matches, spread across October, November and December. The physical and mental load must be managed carefully. The current state of the squad is crucial in this regard.
The start of the Conference League group stage in October contrasts with the European start of other Dutch clubs. NEC and AZ begin their Europa League campaigns already in September. Ajax therefore has a bit more time to get their league season going before European obligations begin. The focus is now first on the important home match against PSV, after which attention can look further ahead. The club currently trails league leaders AZ Alkmaar by eight points, underlining the urgency for good results. Fans can follow the development in the standings.
