When is the European draw and who could my Irish League team face? Here's everything you need to know

While Larne will take their spot in Europe’s premier competition once again after winning a third Gibson Cup crown across the past four years, Linfield, Glentoran and Coleraine have booked places in the Conference League.

It’s an exciting time for fans of the respective clubs with potential dream summer trips on the horizon – here we outline the crucial dates and who our four teams could play next month.

Larne

Draw date: Tuesday, June 16

Possible opponents: Inter Club d'Escaldes (Andorra), Levski Sofia (Bulgaria), Ararat-Armenia (Armenia), Sabah (Azerbaijan), Kauno Žalgiris (Lithuania), Sutjeska (Montenegro), ETO Győr (Hungary), Iberia 1999 (Georgia), Egnatia (Albania), Floriana (Malta), Tre Fiori (San Marino), Vardar (North Macedonia), ML Vitebsk (Belarus), Atert Bissen (Luxembourg)

Match dates: First-leg to be played July 7/8, second-leg to be played July 14/15

Larne created history in 2024 by becoming the first Irish League team to seal their spot in the League Phase of a European competition – the Conference League – and even went one step further by famously beating Belgian outfit Gent.

In a major boost for Gary Haveron’s side, they’ll be one of the 14 seeded teams in the first round of Champions League qualifying, theoretically giving them a better chance of progressing.

The Inver Reds will be hoping to utilise their European experience as they chase further continental success and the financial riches that come with it – making it to the Conference League’s League Phase is worth a minimum of €3.17million.

Luxembourg champions Atert Bissen, who won the top-flight title in their debut season, and ML Vitebsk of Belarus are competing in Europe for the first time so could be viewed as ideal opponents.

Linfield

Draw date: Tuesday, June 16

Possible opponents: Torpedo Kutaisi (Georgia), Velež Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Virtus (San Marino), Liepāja (Latvia), Ilves (Finland), Connah's Quay Nomads (Wales), Bohemians (Republic of Ireland), Stjarnan (Iceland), Europa (Gibraltar), Inter Turku (Finland), Malisheva (Kosovo), Yelimay (Kazakhstan), Dinamo City (Albania), UNA Strassen (Luxembourg), Hegelmann (Lithuania), Penybont (Wales), NSÍ (Faroe Islands), Sileks (North Macedonia), Mornar (Montenegro), Marsaxlokk (Malta), Nõmme Kalju (Estonia), Elbasani (Albania), Caernarfon Town (Wales), Mondorf-les-Bains (Luxembourg), Petrovac (Montenegro).

Match dates: First-leg to be played July 9, second-leg to be played July 16

Just like Larne, Linfield will be seeded in the first round of Conference League qualifying and once again in the second round should they seal progress.

The Blues have been within touching distance of European group stage football on a number of occasions, including last term when they missed out after a Conference League play-off defeat to Shelbourne, who also knocked them out of the Champions League.

They could face another Irish League vs League of Ireland showdown this summer with Bohemians a potential opponent at this stage.

Linfield’s task of significant continental progression is made tougher after relinquishing their Gibson Cup crown last term, but David Healy’s men will still fancy their chances of making it through at least a couple of rounds.

Glentoran

Draw date: Tuesday, June 16

Possible opponents: RFS (Latvia), Astana (Kazakhstan), Žalgiris (Lithuania), Shkëndija (North Macedonia), Ballkani (Kosovo), Pyunik (Armenia), Hamrun Spartans (Malta), Milsami Orhei (Moldova), FCI Levadia (Estonia), Paide Linnameeskond (Estonia), Differdange 03 (Luxembourg), Dinamo Minsk (Belarus), Vllaznia (Albania), Víkingur (Faroe Islands), La Fiorita (San Marino), Zira (Azerbaijan), Dečić (Montenegro), Dila Gori (Georgia), BATE Borisov (Belarus), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Atlètic Club d'Escaldes (Andorra), St Joseph's (Gibraltar), FC Santa Coloma (Andorra), Dinamo Tbilisi (Georgia), Alashkert (Armenia).

Match dates: First-leg to be played July 9, second-leg to be played July 16

Back playing in Europe for the first time since 2023, Glentoran are amongst the unseeded teams for Tuesday’s draw, making their challenge of progression significantly harder than Linfield’s.

Their potential opponents include RFS of Latvia – they defeated Larne 7-0 on aggregate in 2024 before qualifying for the Europa League – and Kazakhstan’s Astana, another team who recently competed in the Conference League.

Declan Devine’s men will be hoping to avoid the big names and land a winnable tie as they look to bank crucial prize money.

First round elimination is worth €325,000 while making it to the second round would secure the Glens an extra €200,000.

Coleraine

Draw date: Wednesday, June 17

Possible opponents: Braga (Portugal), Ajax (Netherlands), Copenhagen (Denmark), Gent (Belgium), Rapid Wien (Austria), Panathinaikos (Greece), Ludogorets Razgrad (Bulgaria), FCSB (Romania), Raków Częstochowa (Poland), Partizan (Serbia), Lugano (Switzerland), AEK Larnaca (Cyprus), İstanbul Başakşehir (Turkey), Rijeka (Croatia), CFR Cluj (Romania), HJK (Finland), Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Apollon Limassol (Cyprus), Hibernian (Scotland), HB (Faroe Islands), Sion (Switzerland), Vaduz (Liechtenstein), Nordsjælland (Denmark), Tobol (Kazakhstan), Brann (Norway), Noah (Armenia), Spartak Trnava (Slovakia), Hradec Králové (Czech Republic), Austria Wien (Austria), GKS Katowice (Poland) plus certain winners of first round ties.

Match dates: First-leg to be played July 23, second-leg to be played July 30

Coleraine have booked their spot in the second round of Conference League qualifying after winning the Irish Cup, meaning they’ll take home a minimum of €525,000 in prize money.

They’re guaranteed to be one of the unseeded teams in Wednesday’s draw, and while a number of potential opponents are still unknown, some European giants are amongst those already identified.

Four-time Champions League winners Ajax and a host of other clubs who have competed in Europe’s top competition in recent years could await.

A trip closer to home is also a possibility with Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian amongst potential opponents.