2026/27 Conference League Match Set for Košice
Polissya Zhytomyr has chosen the Košice stadium in Slovakia as the venue for their home leg of the second qualifying round in the 2026/27 UEFA Conference League against Danish side Copenhagen, scheduled for July 23. This fixture marks a significant milestone for the Ukrainian club, which previously competed in the Conference League last season and advanced to the playoff round before being eliminated by Italian powerhouse Fiorentina.
Road to the Match
Polissya enters the second qualifying round of the 2026/27 Conference League after finishing third in the Ukrainian Premier League with 59 points during the 2025/26 campaign. They trailed Cherkasy-based LNZ by just one point but edged out Kyiv's Dynamo by two points. The club's top scorer in the domestic league was Mykola Hayduchyk, who netted 9 goals.
The match will take place at the Kosicka futbalova arena in Košice, a key step in the team's preparations for European competition. Built between 2018 and 2023, the stadium has a capacity of 12,555 spectators and cost €22.5 million to construct. Owned by the city of Košice, the arena has previously hosted matches involving the Slovak national team. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has also served as a home ground for Ukrainian clubs Dnipro-1 and Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih.
Polissya is gearing up for a crucial game that could define their trajectory on the international stage. This match represents a new chapter for the club in European competitions, offering a chance to solidify their standing abroad after prior successes. Given their third-place finish in the Ukrainian Premier League, their Conference League participation underscores the growing competitiveness of Ukrainian football. Beyond its importance to the club, this fixture could serve as a powerful catalyst for football development in the region.
As Polissya prepares for this pivotal match, it's essential to reflect on their impressive journey in the previous season. The team's captain recently discussed their historic bronze-medal run, which laid the foundation for their current ambitions in European competitions. This context adds depth to their ongoing efforts on the international stage.