Ajax and Monaco head to the Balkans for Conference League Matchday 1

Just over 24 hours after the Conference League draw took place, the exact dates and kickoff times for the league phase of UEFA's third-tier club competition have now been confirmed. Unlike the higher-ranked tournaments, this competition won't begin its group stage in September, but a month later instead.

Each month of the final quarter of the year will feature two rounds of matches. The first two rounds are set for October 15 and 22, the third and fourth for November 5 and 26, with the final two rounds closing out the group stage on December 10 and 17.

Among the notable fixtures on opening day, four-time European champion Ajax will travel to the Balkans to face Bosnian champions Borac Banja Luka, who begin their Conference League campaign after being eliminated in the first qualifying round of the Champions League. Monaco will also be in action in the region as part of the opening round of fixtures.