The Premier League have now confirmed the schedule for the 2025/26 season as fans prepare for another thrilling season in store. The season get under way on Friday 15th August, with the reigning champions Liverpool kicking things off with a title defence at Anfield against Bournemouth.
The weekend then features a marquee matchup between Man United and Arsenal on Saturday, August 16 as the Gunners look to improve on their three-second-place finishes. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, crowned four times in the last five years, open at Wolves.
Newly-promoted Sunderland make their return to the Premier League at home to West Ham, and Leeds travel to Everton on Monday night. Just-promoted Burnley are also given a tough start as they visit North London to play Tottenham Hotspur.
Elsewhere on matchday one, Aston Villa welcome Newcastle in a match that could determine the two sides pushing for places in the top six, Brighton host Fulham, Nottingham Forest take on Brentford and Chelsea play host to Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in Sunday’s only London derby.
As is traditional all 20 teams will play their final matches on the last day of the season Sunday, 24 May 2026. Hillights include Manchester City hosting Aston Villa, Liverpool welcoming Brentford and Arsenal going to Crystal Palace.
There will also be plenty of blockbuster derbies to look forward to this season. The Manchester derbies fall on 13/9 (Etihad) and 17/1 (Old Trafford) with the North London derbies between Arsenal and Tottenham across 22/11 and 21/2.
Other notable duels to have been confirmed are Liverpool vs Manchester United at Anfield on 18 October and the return leg at Old Trafford on 2 May. The Merseyside derbies are lined-up for September 20th and April 18th with the renewal of the legendary rivalry between Sunderland and Newcastle scheduled for December 13th and March 21st.
From early-season blockbusters to sub-plots for the title, the 2025/26 Premier League campaign looks set to be another epic journey.
The action doesn’t stop there, with the traditional bumper Boxing Day games on tap, including Arsenal hosting Brighton and Chelsea facing Aston Villa and Liverpool facing Wolves at Anfield. Sunderland take on Leeds at the Stadium of Light, and Manchester United host Newcastle in a high-stakes match at Old Trafford.