The first Premier League match of the 2026-27 season will see the reigning top-flight champions face the winner of the second-tier championship.
Published June 19, 2026
Arsenal begin their Premier League title defense against promoted side Coventry City on August 21st.
The Premier League fixture list for the 2026-27 season was announced on Friday, with highlights from the opening game including the Gunners’ home game against Frank Lampard’s Coventry.
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Coventry returned to the top flight for the first time in 25 years after winning the Championship last season.
Andoni Iraola’s first Premier League game as Liverpool manager will be at Newcastle United on August 23rd. Former Bournemouth manager Iraola is scheduled to make his Anfield debut against Nottingham Forest on the weekend of August 29th.
Manchester City will get a fresh start when they play Pep Guardiola at home to Bournemouth on August 23rd.
City are expected to appoint former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca to replace Guardiola, who resigned at the end of the season after 10 years in charge.
Chelsea’s new manager, Xabi Alonso, will begin his reign with a West London derby against Fulham on August 24th.
Hull City, who won promotion in the Championship play-offs, will start their first Premier League season since 2017 with a home match against Manchester United on August 22nd.
Elsewhere in the first weekend, Europa League winners Aston Villa travel to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Arsenal, champions for the first time since 2004, face a testing period after hosting Coventry.
Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Villa for their first away league game of the season, before facing Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on September 5.
The weekend of September 12th will see the first post-Guardiola Manchester derby, with Liverpool hosting Manchester United on November 21st.
City and Arsenal will face each other at the Emirates Stadium on November 28th.
The first Merseyside derby of the season between Everton and Liverpool is scheduled to take place on November 28th at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Roberto de Zerbi will get his first taste of the North London derby when Tottenham host Arsenal on December 5th.
With the Boxing Day schedule confirmed, Coventry manager Lampard will face his former club Chelsea on December 26th.
The final day of the Premier League will be played on May 30th, with Arsenal playing at home to Brighton, City facing Sunderland and Liverpool facing Bournemouth. Chelsea and United will face Brentford and Fulham at home respectively.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup ending just 34 days before the start of the Premier League, next season will start and end later than usual.
Arsenal open the top flight on August 16th when they face FA Cup winners City in the Community Shield.
