Irish sides to play one legged European qualifiers as UEFA provide update on continental club competitions

Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Bohemians will all play one legged Champions League and Europa League qualifiers when European club competitions return in August.

In a statement released on Wednesday, UEFA said that 'the qualifying rounds of the two competitions will be played in single legs (instead of home and away)'.  

The only exception to this is the UEFA Champions League Play-offs which will remain over two legs. A draw will determine which club will play the single leg in their stadium.

Dundalk will begin their Champions League campaign on August 18th/19th, with the group stages set to begin in late-October.

The trio of Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Bohemians will begin their respective Europa League season on August 27th.

The Europa League group stages will also begin in late October, during the same week as the Champions League group stages.

Women’s National League champions Peamount United will begin their mini-qualifying tournament between October 7th and 13th.

The new calendar of the qualifying phase and group stage 2020/21 is as follows:

UEFA Champions League 2020/21

Preliminary round: 8 and 11 August



First qualifying round: 18/19 August

Second qualifying round: 25/26 August

Third qualifying round: 15/16 September

Play-offs: 22/23 and 29/30 September

Group stage: 20/21 and 27/28 October, 3/4 and 24/25 November, 1/2 and 8/9 December

UEFA Europa League 2020/21



Preliminary round: 20 August

First qualifying round: 27 August

Second qualifying round: 17 September

Third qualifying round: 24 September

Play-offs: 1 October

Group stage: 22 and 29 October, 5 and 26 November, 3 and 10 December

UEFA Women’s Champions League 2020/21

Qualifying round mini-tournaments: 7 and 13 October

Round of 32: 11/12 and 18/19 November,

Round of 16: 3/4 and 10/11 March

Quarter-finals: 23/24 March and 31 March and 1 April

Semi-finals: 24/25 April and 1/2 May.

Final: 16 May 2021 in Gothenburg.

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