Corentin TOLISSO of Lyon and Ernest NUAMAH of Lyon celebrate the victory in front of fans after the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between Lyon and Rennes at Groupama Stadium on May 3, 2026 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Ewen Gavet/Icon Sport)
Olympique Lyonnais kicks off their 2026-2027 season early with a high-stakes clash away to Sparta Prague in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. The Rhône-based side, fresh off a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1, will face their toughest pre-season test yet when they take on the Czech outfit on Tuesday, August 4.
The Gones will be the first French club to enter European action this term, looking to make a strong statement in their bid to return to the continent’s elite competition. Paulo Fonseca’s men have already made seven signings this summer, including forwards Loïs Openda and Julien Duranville, as they aim to bolster their squad for the demanding road ahead.
From Prague to Lyon: a summer of high expectations
Despite a less-than-convincing pre-season, which culminated in a 4-0 friendly defeat to Real Betis on July 29, Lyon’s ambitions remain sky-high. The match in Prague represents the opening leg of a potential double-header that could propel them into the play-off stages, where they might face either Fenerbahçe or Sturm Graz in mid-August.
If they advance, Tolisso and his teammates will have little time to recover. Domestic duties resume just days later, with a Ligue 1 trip to Toulouse scheduled for August 22. The Champions League path is unforgiving, and every point counts.
Where and when to watch the clash
The highly anticipated Champions League qualifier between Sparta Prague and Lyon gets underway this Tuesday, August 4, at 8:00 PM CEST. French fans can catch all the action live on Canal+, as the Gones look to set the tone for a season packed with challenges.
