The Premier League fixtures for the 2026/27 season were released on Friday morning, with Arsenal beginning the defence of their title at home to newly promoted Coventry City on Friday 21 August with an 8.00pm kick-off and broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The Gunners won their first title since 2004 last season as Mikel Arteta’s side finished seven points clear of Manchester City. Meanwhile, Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues are returning to the top flight for the first time in 25 years after winning the Championship title.
Due to the World Cup Final taking place on 19 July, the 2026-27 season will begin and end a week later than usual to allow a five-week break between the final and the start of the new campaign. The season will end on Sunday 30 May, when all 10 games will kick off at the same time as usual.
Promoted Trio Learn Openers
While Coventry will be on the road for their opening game, fellow promoted clubs Ipswich Town and Hull City will both mark their top-flight returns in front of their own fans, with both games taking place on Saturday 22 August.
Hull City, who beat Middlesbrough at Wembley in a tense Championship Play-Off Final last month, will host Manchester United in a lunchtime kick-off with the Red Devils beginning their first full season under Michael Carrick.
Ipswich Town are making an immediate return to the top flight but are without Kieran McKenna following his exit, and get underway against Sunderland, who were the best performing of the newly promoted clubs after finishing seventh.
New Managers Begin Reigns
There will be two opening weekend clashes between sides that have new faces in each dugout. Manchester City will begin their first season since 2015/16 without Pep Guardiola with a home clash with Marco Rose’s Bournemouth on Sunday 23 August.
The first Monday night game on 24 August sees currently managerless Fulham face local rivals Chelsea, now managed by Xabi Alonso. The other two clubs with new bosses are on the road, with Pierre Sage’s Crystal Palace travelling to Everton with Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool travelling to Newcastle United.
The other opening weekend games see Nottingham Forest host Leeds United and Brentford take on Tottenham Hotspur on the Saturday, with the Brentford game kicking off at 5.30pm and Brighton and Hove Albion hosting Aston Villa on the Sunday at 2.00pm.
Opening Weekend Fixture List In Full:
Friday 21 August
Arsenal v Coventry, 8.00pm
Saturday 22 August
Hull v Man Utd, 12.30pm
Everton v Crystal Palace, 3.00pm
Ipswich v Sunderland, 3.00pm
Nottm Forest v Leeds, 3.00pm
Brentford v Tottenham, 5.30pm
Sunday 23 August
Brighton v Aston Villa, 2.00pm
Man City v Bournemouth, 2.00pm
Newcastle v Liverpool, 4.30pm
Monday 24 August
Fulham v Chelsea, 8.00pm
