When does the Premier League season start? These are the opening round of games

OK, there’s been a fairly decent distraction for soccer fans in recent weeks. A 48-team World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico has a way of keeping our thoughts from the Beautiful Game at club level at bay. And for those primarily focused on the English Premier League, they also had numerous stars to keep an eye on, Haaland, Rice, Mac Allister, McGinn and Rodri to name but a few.

When does the Premier League start?

But the wait for the biggest and best domestic league in the world is now almost over. The 2026-27 Premier League season gets underway on Friday, August 21, with a four-day opening weekend that runs through Monday, August 24.

The very first game sees Arsenal welcome promoted Coventry City to the Emirates Stadium, before the remaining nine fixtures are spread across the weekend.

Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City all begin their campaigns away from home or on separate days, while the three promoted clubs each face an immediate test as they try to establish themselves back in the top flight.

What are the opening Premier League fixtures?

Friday, August 21

• 3:00 p.m. ET: Arsenal vs Coventry City

Saturday, August 22

• 7:30 a.m. ET: Hull City vs Manchester United
• 10:00 a.m. ET: Everton vs Crystal Palace
• 10:00 a.m. ET: Ipswich Town vs Sunderland
• 10:00 a.m. ET: Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United
• 12:30 p.m. ET: Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur

Sunday, August 23

• 9:00 a.m. ET: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
• 9:00 a.m. ET: Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
• 11:30 a.m. ET: Newcastle United vs Liverpool

Monday, August 24

• 3:00 p.m. ET: Fulham vs Chelsea

The opening weekend also gives all three promoted clubs an early measuring stick. As well as Coventry traveling to Arsenal for the curtain-raiser, Hull host Manchester United, and Ipswich begin life back in the Premier League at home to Sunderland, itself a team that surprised and impressed in equal measure last season.

Which Premier League fixtures should fans look out for?

There are plenty of standout dates across the season.

The first Manchester derby is scheduled for the weekend of September 12, when United host City, with the return fixture at the Etihad on March 20.

The opening Liverpool vs Manchester United clash comes at Anfield on the weekend of November 21, before Old Trafford hosts the reverse fixture on January 23.

Fans won’t have to wait long for Arsenal vs Manchester City, either. Last season’s top two meet at the Emirates on the weekend of November 28, with the return game on January 30. Note that they also clash on August 16 in the Community Shield.

The first North London derby sees Tottenham host Arsenal on the weekend of December 5, while Everton welcome Liverpool for the opening Merseyside derby on the weekend of November 28.

Meanwhile, the first Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland is scheduled for the weekend of December 5, with the return fixture on May 1.

The Premier League has also restored a fuller Boxing Day program for 2026-27 after only one game was played on December 26 last season.

For the complete fixture list, fans can check the Premier League’s official schedule on the league’s website.

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