UEFA tells federations to avoid European-week league games

UEFA has reminded Europe’s national federations to keep domestic league and cup fixtures away from the weeks reserved for its club competitions. The request places responsibility on national associations and leagues to account for the European calendar when arranging their seasons.

The message was sent on September 9 to all 55 federations in UEFA’s network, alongside the dates for the full upcoming European campaign. UEFA maintains that domestic matches should not take place on the same dates as its club games, except when exceptional circumstances make a postponement unavoidable.

The governing body said the approach is intended to protect both domestic football and its inter-club competitions. It also warned that scheduling matches in direct competition with European fixtures works against supporters’ interests and harms football more broadly. Federations were therefore asked to ensure the dates are considered by whoever organises their national competitions.

In France, the current schedule includes one Ligue 3 match on a Thursday that overlaps with the Europa League and Conference League. That fixture is understood not to be covered by UEFA’s guidance. UEFA’s reminder otherwise reinforces the expectation that domestic calendars should avoid direct competition with European match dates.