After getting off to the perfect start in our Europa League opener against Polish side Lech Poznań on 17 September, our attention now turns to more exciting fixtures on the continent, with Palace fans looking ahead to four matches in four different European countries.
The 2025/26 campaign provided Eagles supporters with an introduction to life on the continental road, and our thirst for more is about to be quenched.
On the path to European glory last season, we took in away games in Fredrikstad, Kyiv, Strasbourg, Dublin, Mostar, Larnaca, Florence, Kraków and Leipzig. This time around, fixtures are guaranteed in Lyon, Istanbul, Białystok and Salzburg. Each destination will provide the travelling red-and-blue army with different cultures, foods and stadiums which, just like last year, are bound to create memories that will last a lifetime.
From a personal point of view, the European fixtures that my dad, uncle and I attended have gone down as some of my favourite Palace experiences ever, rivalled only by previous Wembley days out. Having just purchased our tickets for Lyon on 15 October, we cannot wait to be going on tour again.
With the prolonged and rather insufferable international break now upon us, I thought it would be a good opportunity to provide a mini guide to the matches that await us over the coming months.
The first away trip takes place, as mentioned, on 15 October against Lyon, undoubtedly one of France’s most prestigious clubs. They are recognised as the side that won the most consecutive Ligue 1 titles, topping the division seven times in a row between 2002 and 2008, a record that remains unbeaten even in the era of the capital’s behemoths, PSG.
Known as ‘Les Gones‘ (The Kids), the club moved from their former home, Stade de Gerland, in 2016 to the impressive Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Holding 59,186 supporters, it is the third-largest stadium in France and is situated in the eastern suburb of Décines-Charpieu, making it a fantastic destination for Palace’s opening Europa League away fixture.
The city itself is perhaps best known for its position at the confluence of two major rivers, the Rhône and the Saône. Those who enjoy fine food will not be disappointed by what Lyon has to offer. According to the Michelin Guide, Lyon is considered the gastronomic capital of France and is famous for its bouchons, small traditional bistros serving hearty local dishes and delicacies such as praline tarts.
As a self-confessed cinephile, I was also delighted to learn that the city is regarded as the birthplace of cinema. In 1895, Lyon played host to the filming of one of the world’s first motion pictures. It could well prove to be the perfect destination for our first Europa League away day. Of course, the much-maligned involvement of John Textor with the club was the principal reason behind our demotion to the Conference League last season, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the fixture.
Just a week later, we are back on the road with a trip to Istanbul to face one of Turkish football’s traditional “big three”, Beşiktaş. While Lyon’s ultras will undoubtedly create a vibrant atmosphere, the environment awaiting Palace in Turkey could be unlike anything we have previously encountered in Europe.
Founded in March 1903, Beşiktaş play their home matches at the 42,684-capacity Tüpraş Stadyumu. Nicknamed ‘The Black Eagles‘, they have won an impressive 21 national league titles, including 16 Turkish Süper Lig crowns. Their rivalries with fellow giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe are regarded as some of the fiercest in world football and are on many football fans’ bucket lists. Seeing them take on the South Londoners promises to be a mouth-watering occasion.
Given this intimidating footballing reputation, it may come as a surprise that the surrounding area is exceptionally beautiful. The Bosphorus waterfront occupies the European shore of the famous strait and acts as a gateway between Istanbul’s historic peninsula and its northern districts. The nearby Çarşı district is renowned for its bustling streets, fish markets and traditional taverns, all of which should provide perfect gathering spots for travelling Palace supporters.
The lesser-known club among this quartet is probably Jagiellonia Białystok, although Palace fans may remember them from last season’s Conference League, where they finished 17th in the league phase before being eliminated by our eventual quarter-final opponents, Fiorentina, in the play-off round.
Based in north-eastern Poland, the club was founded by the 42nd Infantry Regiment in May 1920, giving it unique origins. The amusingly named Chorten Arena has a capacity of 22,372 spectators, and the club’s roots remain linked to Polish history through its name, which derives from the historic Jagiellonian dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
From a footballing perspective, the club is best known for its recent successes, including winning the 2023/24 Ekstraklasa title, the first top-flight championship in its 104-year history. This achievement complemented their memorable Polish Cup triumph in 2010 and marked the most successful era the club has enjoyed.
Off the pitch, Białystok is the capital of the Podlaskie Voivodeship and sits close to the Belarusian border. Any Palace supporter who travelled to Kraków last season will attest to what a fantastic country Poland is, and Białystok is no exception. Known as the “Green Lungs of Poland” due to its outstanding environmental quality and surrounding forests, it serves as a gateway to Białowieża National Park, home to Europe’s iconic bison.
The city is also a significant academic centre, boasting more than 15 higher education institutions, while acting as an important hub for textiles, machinery and wood-processing industries in Eastern Europe.
The final league-phase away day takes place in Austria against Red Bull Salzburg, where former Palace manager Oliver Glasner began his coaching career as assistant to Roger Schmidt between 2012 and 2014.
Located in the municipality of Wals-Siezenheim, the club was originally founded as SV Austria Salzburg before the Red Bull-backed rebrand in 2005. The stylish Red Bull Arena is an ultra-modern stadium with a capacity of just over 30,000 and first opened in 2003.
Manager Danny Röhl is well known in British football through his spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Rangers, while the club itself became synonymous with domestic dominance after winning ten consecutive league titles between 2014 and 2023.
The Salzburg talent factory has produced a remarkable list of graduates, including Erling Haaland, Sadio Mané, Dominik Szoboszlai and Karim Adeyemi. The city itself sits close to the Bavarian border and beneath the spectacular northern foothills of the Alps. Historically, Salzburg’s prosperity was built on its highly lucrative salt trade, while its cultural identity is equally shaped by music and film. In 1965, it famously provided the backdrop for the iconic musical film ‘The Sound of Music’.
This is only a brief look at some of the trips Palace supporters can look forward to this season, but given our positive start against Poznań, there is every reason to believe more European adventures may follow as this year’s Europa League campaign progresses.
However, if these prove to be our final set of European away days for some time, what a collection of destinations they will be.
1 comment
After Palace, my 2nd club is PFC (Paris Football Club), and I was at their recent home game against OL, the game finished in a goalless draw, but PFC were by far the better team and really should have won.
My point is, OL were distinctly unimpressive.
Come on you Palace!