With 14 matches on the continent now under their belt, the Eagles’ debut European adventure is now entering reaching its culmination in the final month of the 2025/26 season.

Over the next week, Palace’s first-ever European semi-final awaits. Henderson’s side are set to take on the Ukrainian league leaders, with the first leg taking place in Krakow, Poland, on Thursday night (30th April, 20:00 BST / 21:00 CEST local time).

The Palace skipper, however, refused to entertain the prospect of reaching the Final in Leipzig – well aware of the quality and danger that Shakhtar will pose in the final four.

Asked to sum up the team’s journey so far, Henderson said: “It's difficult to put into words really, because obviously we've exceeded expectations. 

“I think ultimately, when we come to the business end of the season with this group of players, I think we show up. We don't take a backward step, we take a forward step, and I think that's the most important thing. 

“Ultimately, we've got absolutely nothing to lose, so that's the message we keep giving each other: enjoy it and don't freeze – just embrace everything.”

Of the latter stages of the Conference, Henderson added: “It’s not something I think about, lifting the cup. It's more thinking about the process of how we lift the cup. 

“And I think ultimately it's a cliché, but we've got the semi-final to come and we know Shakhtar are going to be a very tough team to play against. 

"How do we get ourselves through that [away] game? And then, obviously, we bring it back to Selhurst."

As soon as you walk out to that, you know you've got a great chance of winning

Asked for a highlight from Palace’s first-ever major European campaign, Henderson smiled: “It’s got to be the Fiorentina [home] game. 

“Obviously, the first win against Dynamo Kyiv [in October] as well – that was a special evening. The AZ Alkmaar game at home was special because we had to win that game to get back on track. 

“But no, I think the Fiorentina game certainly takes it. Everyone really locked in and really made it a special night. The atmosphere was a twelfth man, and that was when we really felt that it was something special.

“It was incredible, the effort the fans went to. As soon as you walk out to that, you know you've got a great chance of winning.”

### Match Details

**Shakhtar Donetsk v Crystal Palace**

- **Thursday, 30th April**
- **20:00 BST / 21:00 CEST local time**
- **UEFA Conference League semi-final, first leg**
- **Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium**
- **[Live audio commentary on Palace TV+](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)**

Dean Henderson says Crystal Palace’s squad must remain fully focused on the task in hand against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals.

Henderson names his Palace European highlight – so far

Shakhtar Donetsk v Crystal Palace (2026-04-30)

Crystal Palace

Premier League

Liverpool

Last Match

UEFA Conference League

Shakhtar Donetsk

Next Match

Crystal Palace U18

U18 Premier League

Norwich City U18

Ipswich Town U18

Crystal Palace U21

Premier League 2 - Division 1

Liverpool U21

Manchester United U21

Be there for the final day!

Last May, it was announced that [Crystal Palace Women would be competing in the newly-named Women's Super League 2.](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/palace-women-to-compete-in-newly-named-wsl2-from-2025-26/)

Along with a new name - the WSL2 has a new structure for this season. 

In previous years, only the top team would earn promotion to the WSL - this was how Palace earned WSL promotion in the 2023/24 season.

However, for this season only, up to three teams can go up - making this a totally unique campaign for Jo Potter's side.

#### **Who gets promoted to the WSL this season?**

- Like previous years, the first-place side will earn automatic promotion to the WSL.
- The second-place team will also earn automatic promotion to the topflight.
- The third-place team will contest a playoff game against the bottom side in the WSL, with the winner taking the last spot in the topflight.

The 2025/26 format is unique to this campaign, as from the 2026/27 season onwards - the second-place team will contest the playoff against the 13th-place WSL side.

This means the WSL will have 14 teams instead of 12 from the 2026/27 season.

#### **What do Palace need to do?**

After a dramatic penultimate day in the WSL2, **a win on the final day will see Palace automatically promoted to the WSL.**

Following the 2-1 win away in Sunderland, Palace Women are in third-place with 41 points - the promotion playoff position.

Charlton Athletic sit in first-place, one point ahead of Palace on 42 points.

Second-place Birmingham City are level on points with Palace, but have a significantly better goal difference (+7).

The order of the top three will now come down to the final day, with Palace taking on a relegated Portsmouth at the VBS, whilst Charlton face Birmingham City at home.

**If Palace win against Portsmouth**, they will guarantee second-place and automatic promotion to the WSL, as a minimum.

**If Palace draw against Portsmouth**, they can still finish second if Birmingham beat Charlton.

**If Palace lose against Portsmouth,**  they will finish third unless Charlton beat Birmingham by more than eight goals.

**To finish first**, Palace will need to win and hope the Charlton v Birmingham game ends in a draw.

Kick-off is at 15:00 BST on Saturday, 2nd May, as the WSL2 draws to a dramatic conclusion.

**Tickets are selling fast for that HUGE clash in South London, click below to get yours now!**

Buy Palace v Portsmouth tickets!

One game separates Crystal Palace Women from an immediate return to the Women's Super League. Read below to see what Jo Potter's side need to do...

One more game: What Palace need to get promoted on the final day

Crystal Palace Women v Portsmouth Women (2026-05-02)

Crystal Palace Women

Women's Super League 2

Sunderland Women

Portsmouth Women

Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## From Academy to Premier League

> Having joined the Palace Academy from Brentford in 2016, Tyrick Mitchell rose to prominence rapidly at Palace and set the record for the youngest-ever player to make 200 Premier League appearances for the club.

Mitchell was a regular in both of Palace's Under-18 and Under-23 Professional Development League South winning teams in 2017/18 as he spent a second campaign featuring at both levels.

A recruit from Brentford at the end of the 2015/16 season, Mitchell, an attacking left-back with bundles of pace, impressed sufficiently for the Academy side to be handed a chance with the Development team in 2016. He used that experience to his advantage in 17/18 as he helped his two teams to silverware.

In 2018/19, Mitchell was a regular fixture in Richard Shaw's U23s team and joined the first-team on their pre-season tour in the summer of 2019.

After returning from an injury sustained while on tour, Mitchell made several first-team squads and earned his Premier League debut against Leicester City in July 2020. He went on to secure his first Premier League start by playing the full 90 minutes against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In April 2021, he signed a contract extension through til the end of 2024/25. Mitchell then followed this up with his first goal and assist for the Eagles, as helped the side to a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in May 2021.

His performances throughout 21/22 saw him earn a senior England call-up for the first time in March 2022, making his debut in a 2-1 win over Switzerland.

Mitchell was nearly ever-present in 2022/23, featuring for Palace in 38 out of a possible 41 games in all competitions. He made his 100th appearance in red and blue against Tottenham Hotspur towards the end of the campaign and was also awarded the PFA Community Champion Award for his support for the Palace for Life Foundation.

He was again so close to being ever-present in 2023/24, this time only missing a single game through injury. Nevertheless, he continued to make the left-back position his own, and even stepping further forward as a left wing-back under new manager Oliver Glasner. Mitchell concldued the campaign with his best attacking returns, with two goals and three assists.

In 2024/25, Mitchell was one of the first names on the teamsheet - featuring in 37 out of a possible 38 league games. He kept 11 clean sheets in the league, assisting five times. 

He also kept four clean sheets in the games he featured in as Palace lifted the FA Cup.

November 2021, December 2023

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Crystal Palace, 2021/22

Young Player of the Season

Crystal Palace, 2022/23

PFA Community Champion

Mitchell

Twitter

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

Tyrick reflects on his 200th Premier League appearance

Best of Tyrick Mitchell | Newcastle (H)

Match Action: Crystal Palace 3-0 Fiorentina

Doc Brown meets Tyrick Mitchell

CCTV | The Team prepare for Shelbourne

Net88's November Player of the Month: Tyrick Mitchell

Best of Tyrick Mitchell | Fulham (A)

Match Highlights | RC Strasbourg 2-1 Crystal Palace

Mitchell previews Wolves 

Access All Over | Crystal Palace v Brighton

The best of Tyrick Mitchell | Brighton (H)

The best of our Defenders | Brighton (H)

Tyrick on hard-fought draw

From South London to Europe | This Is Our Night

CCTV | Internationals Returns

Goals Inside Box

Goals Outside Box

Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

Successful passes

Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

Get ready for Europe!

The France international has previous experience of continental football’s top table, playing all six matches for VfL Wolfsburg in their 2021/22 UEFA Champions League campaign.

And having started 13 of Palace’s 14 European fixtures on the road to the semi-finals – where they will meet Ukrainian league leaders Shakhtar Donetsk – Lacroix says that Palace’s experience, and loyal travelling supporters, will prove huge factors in the first leg at the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Krakow.

“I'm really happy,” Lacroix said. “Of course, it's the first time for Palace, but we hope that we can go to the next step – so it starts Thursday, with the fans. A lot of people are coming, so we need them there.

“We played already in Poland last time [against Dynamo Kyiv in October]. It's difficult [with the atmosphere]. But we will go there to win. We are football players, and we want to win and reach the final. 

“It's going to be a tough game, but we're going over there to win.”


I think we just say: everything is possible

On Palace’s impressive European progress so far, Lacroix added: “I think it's the experience [which has helped], but it's also the team because we have really good players.

“We showed [at Anfield] that we have the quality to be dangerous. This is what we want to show on Thursday.

“We want to win another trophy. I think we just say: everything is possible. We showed it last year and I think people, when they come to support us, they see that we can do something this year. 

“We want to give them this trophy, but you have to be respectful and start with Shakhtar on Thursday.”

### **Match Details**

**Shakhtar Donetsk v Crystal Palace**

- Thursday, 30th April
- 20:00 BST
- Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium
- UEFA Conference League semi-final

Vice-captain Maxence Lacroix says the sky is the limit for Crystal Palace, as they bid to reach a major European Final over the next week.

Lacroix: We believe everything is possible for Palace

It all comes down to this. With a place in the Final in Leipzig on the line, Crystal Palace will host Ukrainian title challengers Shakhtar in our final European home fixture of this historic season, kicking off at **20:00 BST** on **Thursday, 7th May**.

Out of gratitude to our supporters’ outstanding backing of the team across Europe this season, prices are frozen from previous rounds of the competition.

**Supporters are urged to read the below information about the home leg in full before purchasing tickets.**

### **Sales Phases**

*All phases subject to availability.*

**Phase 1:** Season Ticket Holders can purchase their own, reserved seat by following the step-by-step guide under the heading ‘How to purchase in Phase 1’ below.

- **From 10:00, Tuesday 28th April:** Online only
- **From 16:00, Tuesday 28th April**: Via all methods (online, over the phone, or in person)
- *Please note that this sales phase will close at 17:30 on Wednesday, 29th April.*

**Phase 2:** **All displaced Season Ticket Holders** can purchase **one** ticket per person.

- **From 18:00, Wednesday 29th April:** Online only
- **From 09:00, Thursday 30th April:** Via all methods (online, over the phone, or in person)

**Phase 3:** Season Ticket+ Holders, Gold Members and Junior Gold Members can purchase **one** ticket per person.

- **From 12:00, Thursday 30th April:** Online only
- **From 15:00, Thursday 30th April:** Via all methods (online, over the phone, or in person)

**Phase 4:** All other Members and Season Ticket Holders can purchase **one** ticket per person.

- **From 10:00, Friday 1st May:** Online only
- **From 14:00, Friday 1st May:** Via all methods (online, over the phone, or in person)

### **Prices**

**Season Ticket Holders (Phases 1 & 2):**

- **Adults:** £35
- **Seniors (65+) and 18-21s:** £25
- **Under 18s:** £20

**All ticket purchases from Phase 3 onwards:**

- **Adults:** £40
- **Seniors (65+) and 18-21s:** £30
- **Under 18s:** £25

### **Eligibility**

Only supporters who have purchased their Memberships prior**** to **Thursday, 16th April** will be able to purchase tickets for this fixture.

**Season Ticket Holders who do not purchase their own seat before the deadline,** and who are not emailed to advise of their seat not being available, will only be able to purchase in Phases 3 or 4.

**Season Ticket Holders who do not purchase in Phase 1 are not classed as displaced.** Only those supporters who receive an email from the club informing them as such will be able to purchase in Phase 2.

To help protect tickets from bots, please note that a queue management system will be in place throughout the sales process.

### **Premium Matchday Packages**

Enjoy arguably Selhurst’s biggest-ever matchday in style.

With a range of Premium lounges to choose from, all of which offer modern dining and inclusive drinks throughout your night, [click here to enquire about our Premium Matchday Packages](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/hospitality/enquire/) for this fixture, or speak to a member of our today to start planning.

### **Ticket Distribution**

All general admission tickets for this fixture will be emailed approximately one week before the game to the transaction owner.

Tickets will be available as PDF Print at Home tickets, or Digital tickets to download to your Apple or Google Wallet.

**How to purchase in Phase 1**

Season Ticket Holders looking to purchase their own seats can do so by following the step-by-step guide below:

1. Log in to **[the Ticketing section](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc?utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=WebStory-270226-LarnacaTickets)** of the website.
2. Click the **‘My Account’ icon** in the top-right hand corner of the screen.
3. Click **‘Reserved Tickets’**.
4. Click **'Show Reserved Tickets'** and then add the tickets you wish to purchase to your basket.
5. Click the **basket** in the top-right of the screen and then follow the remaining on-screen instructions to checkout.

Season Ticket Holders who wish to purchase their own seats should note that they will be **unable to change the age band** of their usual ticket. For example, if your Season Ticket was purchased as an Adult, you can only purchase your reserved ticket as an Adult.

### **Important Information**

After Phase 1, all tickets can be purchased in the standard way via our **[Ticketing website](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/)**.

To purchase tickets on behalf of a friend or family member, you must have a strong relationship, which can be set in the **Friends and Family section** of the Ticketing website. **[Click here to find out how to do this](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/how-to-use-palace-app-and-website).**

Unfortunately, due to UEFA requirements and the addition of a singing section, a small number of Season Ticket Holders will be displaced and instead offered a priority on all remaining seats in Phase 2. All displaced supporters will be emailed in advance of tickets going on sale.

### **Match Details**

**Crystal Palace v Shakhtar Donetsk**

- Thursday, 7th May
- 20:00 BST
- Selhurst Park
- UEFA Conference League semi-finals, second leg

Tickets for the decisive second leg of our UEFA Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk – to be played at Selhurst Park – are now on sale to qualifying supporters.

Prices frozen for Selhurst semi-final; Shakhtar (H) tickets now on sale

Crystal Palace v Shakhtar Donetsk (2026-05-07)

First-team

First-team

Henderson names his Palace European highlight – so far

Lacroix: We believe everything is possible for Palace

Prices frozen for Selhurst semi-final; Shakhtar (H) tickets now on sale

Get ready for Europe!

3Tyrick
Mitchell

First-team

First-team

Henderson names his Palace European highlight – so far

Lacroix: We believe everything is possible for Palace

Prices frozen for Selhurst semi-final; Shakhtar (H) tickets now on sale

Get ready for Europe!

3TyrickMitchell

3Tyrick
Mitchell