Bournemouth begin European campaign as 18 clubs recall maiden trips

Bournemouth will kick off their first ever European campaign against Real Sociedad on Thursday, joining 18 Premier League clubs that have already made a continental debut. Crystal Palace won a trophy on their own European debut, while Brentford remain the only current Premier League side yet to play abroad.

Past Premier League maiden trips

Arsenal’s quest for that elusive Champions League title began in 1972, leaving the current crop looking to end 55 years of hurt. The Gunners enjoyed early success in the Inter‑Cities Fairs Cup, exiting in the second round of their 1963/64 debut before winning the final against Anderlecht in 1970.

Aston Villa boast a European Cup win in 1982 after Peter Withe’s goal, yet their first foray into continental action proved disastrous. A 1975 League Cup triumph earned them a UEFA Cup place, but they suffered a 5‑1 aggregate defeat to Royal Antwerp.

Brighton secured a Thursday night slot after finishing sixth in the 2022/23 Premier League. The Seagulls topped a Europa League group containing Ajax and Marseille, but a 4‑0 first‑leg loss at the Stadio Olimpico saw them bow out in the Round of 16 against Roma.

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Chelsea could have been the first English side to compete on the continent after winning the First Division in 1955, but the English authorities blocked entry to the inaugural European Cup. The Blues later reached the quarter‑finals of the Inter‑Cities Fairs Cup in 1959.

Coventry City’s thrilling 3‑2 victory over Tottenham in the 1987 FA Cup Final would have qualified them for the Cup Winners’ Cup, but a five‑year ban on English clubs prevented participation. Their solitary continental outing came in the 1970/71 Fairs Cup.

Everton topped the First Division in 1962/63 under Harry Catterick, only to be knocked out by Dunfermline in the Inter‑Cities Fairs Cup. The following season their league triumph pitted them against eventual European Cup winners Inter Milan in the first round. Fulham returned to the top flight in 2001/02 after more than 30 years and earned a UEFA Cup place via the Intertoto Cup, beating Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb before losing to Hertha Berlin in the third round. Hull City, still unbeaten this season, previously tasted Europe after the 2014 FA Cup Final loss to Arsenal, but an away‑goal defeat to Lokeren ended their Europa qualifying run before the end of August.

Bournemouth’s debut and the road ahead

Crystal Palace’s triumph in the Conference League after their 2025 FA Cup win over Manchester City shows a debut can end with silverware, even after demotion from the Europa League due to multi‑club ownership rules. Bournemouth will be hoping to emulate that success, while Brentford remain the only Premier League club yet to experience European competition.