The first legs of the Second Qualifying Round are done, and this week brings the second legs that decide who progresses toward the Third Qualifying Round and, ultimately, a shot at the newly expanded 36-team league phase. Every tie sits somewhere between comfortable and knife-edge heading into the return fixtures, with clubs across the Champions Path and League Path fighting for a place in one of European football's most lucrative competitions.

These midweek deciders carry real financial stakes for clubs outside the traditional elite — a two-legged aggregate win here can be worth many multiples of a domestic television deal for clubs from smaller UEFA associations. With away goals no longer a factor under UEFA's current rules, any tie level on aggregate after normal time in the second leg goes straight to extra time and, if needed, penalties. Seven places in the league phase remain on the line — five through the Champions Path and two through the League Path — and by Thursday morning the picture for the Third Qualifying Round, drawn last Monday, will be fully confirmed.

When: Second Legs Tuesday, July 28 & Wednesday, July 29 · Third Qualifying Round First Legs from Tuesday, August 4

With the 2026/27 Premier League season kicking off on August 21, England's biggest clubs are deep into their preseason tours, and this week delivers some genuine heavyweight fixtures. Manchester United face Atlético Madrid in Stockholm on Saturday, August 1, continuing a Scandinavian tour that already saw them thrash Rosenborg 5-0 in Trondheim, before United round things off later this month against PSG and AC Milan. Manchester City, meanwhile, kick off their Asian tour against Inter Milan in Hong Kong on the same day, part of a schedule that will also take Pep Guardiola's side to Seoul to face Atlético Madrid and the K-League All-Stars.

Liverpool continue their US tour under new head coach Andoni Iraola, facing Wrexham in New York on Thursday, July 30, ahead of a meeting with Leeds in Chicago on Sunday. Elsewhere, Real Madrid face Fiorentina in Klagenfurt on August 1, giving Los Blancos their first real test of the summer, while Aston Villa — who also have the UEFA Super Cup against PSG on their packed schedule — take on Real Sociedad this week as part of their own preparations.

While preseason friendlies rarely carry the same weight as competitive fixtures, they offer an early look at new signings, tactical systems and squad fitness levels ahead of the new campaign — and with several genuine heavyweight clashes on this week's card, there is plenty to watch for punters looking ahead to the new season.

Key Fixtures: Liverpool vs. Wrexham — Thu, Jul 30, New York · Man Utd vs. Atlético Madrid — Sat, Aug 1, Stockholm · Man City vs. Inter Milan — Sat, Aug 1, Hong Kong · Real Madrid vs. Fiorentina — Sat, Aug 1, Klagenfurt · Liverpool vs. Leeds — Sun, Aug 2, Chicago

The National Bank Open presented by Rogers — a mandatory ATP Masters 1000 event in Montreal and a mandatory WTA 1000 event in Toronto — gets underway this week, but for the second year running, the men's field has been rocked by a wave of high-profile withdrawals. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic both pulled out on the Friday before the tournament, joining Carlos Alcaraz — already ruled out with the wrist injury that has sidelined him since the clay season — in skipping the event entirely. It is the second consecutive year the sport's three biggest draws have all missed the tournament, prompting a frustrated public response from tournament director Valérie Tétreault, who confirmed discussions are already underway with the ATP to address the recurring issue.

With the headline trio out, Alexander Zverev steps in as top seed in Montreal, with home favourite Félix Auger-Aliassime second and defending champion Ben Shelton third. It is a significant opportunity for the chasing pack — including Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur, Flavio Cobolli and Taylor Fritz — to pick up crucial ranking points and title momentum heading into the US Open.

The women's draw in Toronto has fared better, retaining nearly all of its star power. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka headlines a field that includes Elena Rybakina, Iga Świątek, defending Toronto champion Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva and Naomi Osaka — 72 of the WTA's Top 75 players in total. The one notable absence is defending champion Victoria Mboko, the Canadian sensation forced out with a knee injury sustained at the HSBC Championships, denying home fans the chance to see her defend her title in Toronto.

When: Qualifying Saturday, August 1 · Main Draw Sunday, August 2 – Thursday, August 13 · Sobeys Stadium, Toronto (WTA) & IGA Stadium, Montreal (ATP)