Sunderland face some eye-catching away days in the league phase of this season’s Europa League.

Sunderland had supporters reaching for their passports within minutes of the full-time whistle in the final game of their first season back in the Premier League.

A win against Chelsea ensured Regis Le Bris’ men claimed seventh place in the table and ensured they will compete alongside the likes of AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus in this season’s Europa League. The excitement was further ramped up when the draw for the league phase of the competition handed Sunderland home ties against AZ Alkmaar, Dinamo Zagreb, Jagiellona and Levski Sofia as well as away days at Torreense, Lech Poznan, Anderlecht and, of course, Serie A giants AC Milan.

Hundreds of Sunderland fans headed to the Fans Museum to watch the UEFA Europa League draw live. | Iconic Media.

placeholder image — Hundreds of Sunderland fans headed to the Fans Museum to watch the UEFA Europa League draw live. | Iconic Media.

Travel plans are already in place as Black Cats fans prepare to travel to the continent for a competitive fixture for the first time since Bob Stokoe’s legendary FA Cup-winning side of 1973 faced Hungarian side Vasas and Portuguese giants Sporting CP in the following season’s Cup Winners Cup. But how far will supporters have to travel during the league phase of this season’s Europa League as they travel to Portugal, Poland, Belgium and Italy?

The team at Betway have assessed the travel distances facing British clubs competing in the league phases of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League by using Google Maps to work out the mileage stadium to stadium for a round trip. We take a look at the figures they have provided and compare Sunderland’s travel distances to those facing the likes of Celtic, Arsenal and Manchester City.