Why Everton fans will be ‘hit hardest’ by no European football amid fixture scheduling fear

Everton are set for another year packed with Monday night fixtures during the 2026-27 Premier League campaign.

This season saw the Toffees depart their Goodison Park base for the brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Bramley-Moore Docks.

David Moyes's side appeared to be heading towards European qualification before a seven-game winless run (D3 L4) at the conclusion of the term derailed their plans.

The Merseyside club finished the league schedule with a whimper, losing 1-0 at the relegation-threatened home of Tottenham Hotspur on May 24.

Last winning a Premier League fixture on March 21 against Chelsea at the Hill Dickinson, Everton placed 13th in the league standings, four points behind the top eight.

Everton preparing for more Monday night mayhem

A record-equalling nine Premier League clubs qualified for Europe next season, with champions Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool making up the Champions League cohort.

An unlikely trio will represent England in the Europa League next term, with Bournemouth, Sunderland and Conference League winners Crystal Palace entering UEFA's second-tier club competition.

Finally, Brighton & Hove Albion will be the sole Premier League force in the Conference League during 2026-27 after finishing eighth this season.

As a result, there will be plenty of occasions where these teams will be unable to play in Sky Sports' Monday Night Football slot due to European commitments later in the week.

Everton, meanwhile, have no such issues, meaning that they are one of the first clubs in line to selected for a Premier League fixture at the beginning of the week.

During the 2025-26 campaign, the Toffees played more top-flight matches on Monday night than any other English team (7).

Big-six failure could ease Everton burden

Whilst a club of Everton's size is an attractive pick for the Monday Night Football slot, there are also other enticing selections for Sky Sports to make.

Narrowly avoiding relegation with a 17th-placed finish, Tottenham Hotspur came nowhere near qualifying for Europe, meaning that they are set for an increased number of Monday clashes.

Dropping out of the continental spots and placing 10th by the end of gameweek 38, Chelsea are also without Champions League, Europa League or Conference League commitments in 2026-27.

FGG says: A win for armchair supporters

In previous seasons, the Monday night slot in the Premier League has often been filled by uninspiring matches due the bigger team's commitments in Europe.

However, with Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Everton all missing out, there should always be an interesting storyline to follow, including Xabi Alonso's start to life at Stamford Bridge.