CSKA Sofia vs Derry City tickets for Europa League qualifying night at Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia

CSKA Sofia and Derry City open their European duel in Sofia

CSKA Sofia and Derry City meet on 09.07.2026 at 19:00 at the Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia, in the first match of their Europa League qualifying tie. The return leg is scheduled for 16.07.2026 at Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, so the first evening in Sofia will not decide everything, but it can strongly shape the tone of the entire duel.

For CSKA Sofia, this is a return to the European rhythm after a season in which the club finished fourth in the Bulgarian league and then won the Bulgarian Cup. The final against Lokomotiv Plovdiv ended 1-1, and CSKA celebrated after penalties. Derry City come to Sofia from the competitive rhythm of the League of Ireland, while CSKA enter from a preparation period.

Ticket sales for this match are underway. For fans planning to attend, this is a match for which it is worth organising travel, stadium entry and the return from the centre of Sofia earlier.

• Competition: Europa League, first qualifying round
• First match: CSKA Sofia vs Derry City, Vasil Levski Stadium, Sofia
• Return leg: Derry City vs CSKA Sofia, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
• Previous European H2H: CSKA Sofia 1-0 Derry City and Derry City 1-1 CSKA Sofia from 2009.
• Stakes: progression to the next qualifying round and a longer European summer schedule

What is at stake for CSKA Sofia

CSKA Sofia enter this duel as a club that ended the 2025/2026 season with two different feelings. The league outcome brought fourth place, behind Levski Sofia, CSKA 1948 and Ludogorets, but winning the Bulgarian Cup brought the season back into a winning frame. In the final, in front of more than 30,000 spectators at the Vasil Levski Stadium, CSKA defeated Lokomotiv Plovdiv after penalties, which was the club's 22nd title in that cup competition.

Coach Hristo Yanev received a new two-year contract after the end of the season. Yanev took over the team at the end of September 2025 and stabilised it after a turbulent period, so CSKA enter the European evening with clear continuity on the bench.

In the squad, there are players who can change the rhythm of the match. Leandro Godoy was one of the most important attacking assets last season, Ioannis Pittas brings experience in the final third, and James Eto'o is the type of midfielder who can carry duels in the middle. The addition of Stefano Sensi, the Italian midfielder who arrived from Anorthosis Famaguste and took the number 8, raises the team's creative ceiling.

Preparations have brought a mixed picture. During the Austrian part of their preparations, CSKA lost 0-4 to Polissya Zhytomyr, but then beat Odra Opole 3-2. Such results do not give a final answer about form, but they show that the team is still in the fine-tuning phase. If CSKA find their rhythm early through possession and high full-backs, the pressure on Derry can become constant.

Derry City arrive with competitive rhythm

Derry City were going through fluctuations in mid-season, with many draws and problems in finishing. According to the League of Ireland table immediately before this match, Derry were sixth after 23 league appearances, with 26 points. That is not a position expected of a team with ambitions near the top, but the form in the second half of June brought signs of life.

Four recent results describe Derry's current profile well: a 4-1 win against Bohemians, a 1-2 defeat at Galway United, a 1-1 draw at Shamrock Rovers and a 2-0 win against Drogheda United.

• Derry City 4-1 Bohemians - the best attacking performance in the recent run
• Galway United 2-1 Derry City - a reminder of their away problems
• Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Derry City - a valuable point against the league-leading team
• Derry City 2-0 Drogheda United - a return to Brandywell and a clean sheet

Tiernan Lynch has a team with several clear pillars. Michael Duffy is the captain and creative trigger, James McClean brings experience and aggression on the left side, and Adam O'Reilly provides energy in the middle. Brian Maher, the first goalkeeper, extended his contract until the end of 2028 and returned to full training after a wrist injury, while Eddie Beach ended his loan and returned to Kilmarnock.

At the same time, Derry have become thinner in attack after summer departures and the end of loans. That increases the importance of the impact of Duffy, O'Reilly and McClean in transition.

Tactical picture: home pressure against away discipline

CSKA Sofia will find it difficult to play passively in front of their own fans. The logical plan is to open the pitch wide, control second balls and look for an early goal. Derry City will probably try to avoid a wild match, because the return leg at Brandywell is too important to risk a structural collapse already in Sofia.

The key will be midfield. If James Eto'o and Sensi get time to turn forward, Derry's back line will be forced to defend the space behind them. If O'Reilly and Carl Winchester close those passing lanes, the visitors can force CSKA into crosses from more difficult zones.

• CSKA need to impose the tempo early, but must not leave large gaps behind the full-backs.
• Derry need to move the first balls calmly, especially after regaining possession in their own third.
• Set pieces can be a direct advantage for the home side, but also the easiest route to a goal for the visitors.
• The first 20 minutes will be a test of nerves for Derry and a test of precision for CSKA.
• A draw would give the visitors a strong psychological boost for the return leg.

History of meetings and an old debt from 2009

This is not the first meeting of these clubs. In the 2009/2010 season, CSKA Sofia eliminated Derry City in European qualifying. The first match in Sofia ended 1-0 for CSKA, and the return leg in Derry ended 1-1. The aggregate 2-1 was then enough for the Bulgarian club to progress.

Derry's announcement of a new trip to Sofia reminded that the club had twice gone out against Bulgarian opponents from the capital by an aggregate score of 2-1. That is why this match has added weight for the visitors: it is an attempt to break a very specific pattern from the club's European history.

Vasil Levski Stadium: a big stage in central Sofia

The Vasil Levski Stadium is located in the central part of Sofia, next to Borisova Gradina park and at the address Evlogi i Hristo Georgievi Blvd 38. The capacity is listed in sources at around 43,500 seats, while CSKA use Vasil Levski in club and competition profiles while their "Bulgarska Armia" stadium is being renovated. That gives the match a special setting: a large arena with an athletics track creates a different sound than compact club stadiums.

The stadium has 26 entrances, natural grass and a heated and floodlit pitch. A large stadium means more space, but also more control points, so arriving at the last moment is not a good idea.

It is worth securing tickets on time, especially for fans who want to choose a sector and arrive in a group. The combination of an international opponent, an evening kick-off and CSKA's return to the European stage increases interest.

Practical information for arrival

• Metro: the "Vasil Levski Stadium" station is located close to the stadium, at the intersection of Dragan Tsankov Blvd and Evlogi Georgiev Blvd.
• Stadium address: Evlogi i Hristo Georgievi Blvd 38, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Parking: near the "Vasil Levski Stadium" metro station there is a car park with 193 spaces on three levels, but for the match one should expect it to fill up quickly.
• Arrival on foot: the stadium is next to Borisova Gradina park, so pedestrian access is also possible from the central parts of Sofia.
• Entrances: the stadium has 26 entrances; the exact gate-opening time should be checked in the club announcements on matchday.

The stadium is close to parks, main boulevards and public transport, so arriving without a car may be the calmest choice.

What kind of atmosphere to expect

CSKA Sofia fans are known for loud support, and a European match against an opponent from the islands gives the stands additional energy. Derry City will not have a numerical advantage, but clubs from the League of Ireland often travel with fans who are loud, organised and ready to endure the whole match in the away sector. Because of that, an interesting contrast can be expected: a large red mass of home fans and a compact visiting group.

The atmosphere will depend on early events on the pitch. If CSKA press and create two or three chances in the opening minutes, the stadium can become very loud. If Derry slow the game down and reach half-time without being behind, nervousness can move into the stands.

Seats in the stands disappear quickly when European matches with clear stakes approach. Anyone who wants a calm arrival should plan to enter earlier, bring documents and follow the stewards' instructions around the sectors.

Players to watch especially

For CSKA Sofia, attention turns to midfield and attack. Sensi brings a name, but also the question of physical readiness after the transfer and a short adjustment period. Godoy is a player for the finish, Pittas can occupy the centre-backs and open space for the second wave, and Eto'o must provide energy in duels. If the home side get a good ratio in aerial battles and second balls, Derry will find it difficult to get out of pressure.

For Derry City, Duffy is the first reference point. His ability to receive the ball between the lines and find the final pass may be the shortest route to an away chance. McClean is important because of his experience and physical toughness, and O'Reilly because of his running from deep. Brian Maher, if he returns between the posts, will be under major focus after the injury and a long period without regular appearances.

• CSKA Sofia: Stefano Sensi - rhythm control and passing between the lines.
• CSKA Sofia: Leandro Godoy - a forward who can decide the match from little space.
• CSKA Sofia: James Eto'o - duel play and carrying the ball through midfield.
• Derry City: Michael Duffy - captain, creator and player for the key move.
• Derry City: Adam O'Reilly - energy, runs from deep and aggression in pressing.
• Derry City: Brian Maher - the return of the first goalkeeper could change the security of the back line.

What a fan should know before setting off

This is a match in which the result must remain in the context of two evenings. CSKA Sofia will try to use home advantage and the experience of the big European stage, while Derry City must stay close enough for the return leg at Brandywell to have full intensity. Therefore, a reckless opening from both sides is not expected, but rather phases of home pressure and careful attempts by the visitors to break into transition.

For spectators at the stadium, the most interesting details will be CSKA's reaction after the first lost ball, the height of Derry's defensive line and set pieces on both sides.

Tickets for this match are in demand among fans, and the practical part of the evening should not be underestimated. The metro is the cleanest choice for arrival, parking should be planned with a reserve, and entering the stadium earlier brings less stress. European qualifying ties are often decided precisely by details: one rebounded ball, one poor goalkeeper's exit or one pass that skips an entire line.

Sources:
- Competition page - tie, round, date and stadium.
- CSKA Sofia - draw, Hristo Yanev, preparations, tickets and Stefano Sensi.
- Derry City FC - schedule, results, squad, return to Sofia and Brian Maher.
- League of Ireland - current Premier Division table and Derry City's position.
- BTA - Bulgarian Cup final, 1-1 result, penalties, attendance and CSKA Sofia's 22nd title.
- Transfermarkt - league placement, squad and CSKA Sofia profile.
- National Sport Base Bulgaria - capacity, entrances, grass pitch and Vasil Levski Stadium infrastructure.
- Metropolitan Sofia and Sofia Municipality - metro station and parking near the stadium.