Premier League Opening Weekend 2026/27: Full Fixtures

The 2026/27 Premier League season is finally set to begin, with the opening matchweek bringing together the defending champions, newly promoted clubs and several high-profile clashes.

Arsenal will begin their title defence at home against Coventry City on Friday, August 21, while Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City will all be in action across the opening weekend.

The new campaign starts later than usual following the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which concluded on July 19. The Premier League confirmed that the season will begin on August 21, giving players and clubs additional recovery time following the international tournament.

Arsenal will enter the campaign with plenty of confidence after defeating Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield, while Chelsea begin a new era under Xabi Alonso and Tottenham continue preparations under Roberto De Zerbi. Three newly promoted clubs, Coventry City, Hull City and Ipswich Town will also make their return to the top flight.

Arsenal begin title defence against Coventry

Arsenal's first match as Premier League champions will come against Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, August 21. The Gunners ended their 22-year wait for a Premier League title last season and will now attempt to defend their crown.

Their opening fixture also represents a major challenge for Coventry, who are returning to the Premier League after 25 years away from the top flight. The match will officially open the new Premier League campaign.

Arsenal vs Coventry City

• Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
• Kick-off: 8:00pm BST
• Venue: Emirates Stadium
• UK TV: Sky Sports

Arsenal's preparations received a major boost with their 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City, giving Mikel Arteta's side an early opportunity to demonstrate that they remain the team to beat.

Manchester United face Hull City test

Manchester United will begin their campaign away from home against Hull City on Saturday. Hull are one of three newly promoted sides and will have the opportunity to make an immediate statement against one of English football's biggest clubs.

The match will be the first Saturday fixture of the new Premier League season and will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK.

Hull City vs Manchester United

• Date: Saturday, August 22
• Kick-off: 12:30pm BST
• Venue: MKM Stadium
• UK TV: TNT Sports 1

Liverpool start away at Newcastle

Liverpool face one of the toughest opening fixtures, travelling to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon. The game at St James' Park is scheduled as the final Premier League fixture on Sunday and will give both clubs an immediate test.

Liverpool are beginning the campaign under Andoni Iraola, while Newcastle will be looking to build on their progress from last season.

Newcastle United vs Liverpool

• Date: Sunday, August 23
• Kick-off: 4:30pm BST
• Venue: St James' Park
• UK TV: Sky Sports

Chelsea begin Xabi Alonso era against Fulham

Chelsea's first Premier League game under Xabi Alonso will be an away trip to Fulham on Monday, August 24. Alonso has taken charge as Chelsea prepare for a new chapter, making the London derby one of the most interesting fixtures of the opening round.

Fulham vs Chelsea

• Date: Monday, August 24
• Kick-off: 8:00pm BST
• Venue: Craven Cottage
• UK TV: Sky Sports

Chelsea's opening match will provide an early indication of how quickly Alonso can implement his ideas at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester City host Bournemouth

Manchester City will begin their campaign at the Etihad Stadium against AFC Bournemouth. The fixture comes after City's 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, meaning Pep Guardiola's former side will be eager to respond when the league campaign begins.

Manchester City vs Bournemouth

• Date: Sunday, August 23
• Kick-off: 2:00pm BST
• Venue: Etihad Stadium
• UK TV: Sky Sports

The Premier League confirmed the fixture as one of two Sunday matches kicking off at 2pm, alongside Brighton vs Aston Villa.

Tottenham visit Brentford

Tottenham Hotspur will begin the season away against Brentford on Saturday evening. Spurs have undergone significant changes during the summer, including the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi, making their opening fixture an important early test of the new manager's plans.

Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur

• Date: Saturday, August 22
• Kick-off: 5:30pm BST
• Venue: Gtech Community Stadium
• UK TV: Sky Sports

Ipswich return to Premier League against Sunderland

Ipswich Town will play their first Premier League match since returning to the competition when they host Sunderland. The fixture is one of three matches scheduled for the traditional 3pm Saturday kick-off.

Ipswich Town vs Sunderland

• Date: Saturday, August 22
• Kick-off: 3:00pm BST
• Venue: Portman Road
• UK TV: Not televised in the UK because of the 3pm blackout

Brighton host Aston Villa

Brighton & Hove Albion will welcome Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. The fixture was moved to Sunday because of Brighton's involvement in the UEFA Conference League qualification play-offs during the preceding week.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa

• Date: Sunday, August 23
• Kick-off: 2:00pm BST
• Venue: Amex Stadium
• UK TV: Sky Sports Premier League

Everton face Crystal Palace

Everton will host Crystal Palace in one of Saturday's three 3pm kick-offs.

Everton vs Crystal Palace

• Date: Saturday, August 22
• Kick-off: 3:00pm BST
• Venue: Goodison Park
• UK TV: Not televised in the UK because of the 3pm blackout

Nottingham Forest host Leeds United

Nottingham Forest will begin their campaign at home against Leeds United. The match is also scheduled for the 3pm Saturday slot and therefore will not be televised live in the UK.

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United

• Date: Saturday, August 22
• Kick-off: 3:00pm BST
• Venue: City Ground
• UK TV: Not televised in the UK because of the 3pm blackout

Full Premier League Opening Weekend Fixtures

Friday, August 21

Arsenal vs Coventry City

• 8:00pm BST
• Sky Sports

Saturday, August 22

Hull City vs Manchester United

• 12:30pm BST
• TNT Sports 1

Everton vs Crystal Palace

• 3:00pm BST
• 3pm blackout

Ipswich Town vs Sunderland

• 3:00pm BST
• 3pm blackout

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United

• 3:00pm BST
• 3pm blackout

Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur

• 5:30pm BST
• Sky Sports

Sunday, August 23

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa

• 2:00pm BST
• Sky Sports Premier League

Manchester City vs Bournemouth

• 2:00pm BST
• Sky Sports Main Event

Newcastle United vs Liverpool

• 4:30pm BST
• Sky Sports

Monday, August 24

Fulham vs Chelsea

• 8:00pm BST
• Sky Sports

The complete opening-round schedule and kick-off times are confirmed by the Premier League, with the UK television selections also published by the league. The Premier League has moved the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign later than usual because of the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup.

The World Cup final was played on July 19, while the Premier League season begins on August 21. The league said this provides 33 days between the World Cup final and the start of the domestic campaign.

The season will contain 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds, with the final round scheduled for May 30, 2027.

Newly promoted clubs prepare for Premier League return

The 2026/27 season welcomes three promoted teams:

• Coventry City
• Hull City
• Ipswich Town

All three face immediate tests. Coventry have the toughest-looking opening assignment on paper, travelling to reigning champions Arsenal. Hull host Manchester United, while Ipswich welcome Sunderland.

Their performances during the opening weeks could be crucial as they attempt to establish themselves in the Premier League.

• Read also: Teams promoted to Premier League 2026: Who is joining England’s top flight?

Key matches to watch

Several fixtures stand out from the opening round:

• Arsenal vs Coventry: The champions begin their title defence against a newly promoted side.
• Hull City vs Manchester United: Hull's first top-flight match comes against United.
• Brentford vs Tottenham: De Zerbi begins his Tottenham era away from home.
• Manchester City vs Bournemouth: City look to respond after their Community Shield defeat.
• Newcastle vs Liverpool: One of the weekend's biggest fixtures.
• Fulham vs Chelsea: Alonso's first Premier League match as Chelsea manager.

The opening weekend therefore combines title contenders, managerial changes and newly promoted clubs, setting up an intriguing start to the 2026/27 campaign.

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