Arsenal to host Coventry City as Premier League confirms opening weekend
The champions begin their title defence at home on Friday 21 August, with a full round of ten fixtures played across four days.
The Premier League will open its 2026/27 season on Friday 21 August, with champions Arsenal hosting newly promoted Coventry City in the curtain-raiser. The fixture list, released last month, spreads the opening round across four days rather than the traditional single weekend.
Saturday’s schedule includes Hull City’s first top-flight fixture in years, at home to Manchester United, alongside Everton against Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town hosting Sunderland, and Nottingham Forest facing fellow promoted side Leeds United. Brentford host Tottenham Hotspur in the day’s late kick-off.
Sunday brings three more fixtures — Brighton against Aston Villa, Manchester City at home to Bournemouth, and a heavyweight clash as Newcastle United host Liverpool. The opening round closes on Monday evening with Fulham against Chelsea.
The later-than-usual start date gives clubs an extra week of preparation following a World Cup summer, with the Premier League citing the need for a longer gap between the international tournament and the domestic season getting under way.