Stoke have been handed a tough draw in the Europa League group stages after being paired with Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kiev, Turkish runners up Besiktas and Israeli giants Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
The Potters, in pot 3 for the draw, will have to force their way past two sides who dropped out of Champions League qualifying, Dynamo Kiev and Besiktas, if they are to reach the last 32 of the tournament.
City open up their campaign by travelling to Kiev on September 15th before their opening home game, against Besiktas two weeks later. City then have a double header with Maccabi, hosting the Israeli's on 20th October before travelling to Tel-Aviv for the return game on 3rd November. City play their last home game against Dynamo Kiev on 1st December before wrapping up their group stage campaign in Turkey when they take on Besiktas on 14th December.
The first five fixtures are all on a Thursday night, meaning away Premier League games against Sunderland, Swansea, Arsenal, Bolton and Everton will be moved back a day to Sunday fixtures whilst the last group game is on a Wednesday, allowing the away Premier League game against Wolves to remain on a Saturday 17th December, the Potters first Saturday away game of the season.