The Premier League is gearing up for another thrilling season, with the release of the 2025/26 fixtures igniting excitement among fans and clubs alike. The new campaign officially kicks off on Friday, August 15, 2025, and will conclude on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Defending champions Liverpool will begin their title defense at Anfield with a Friday night fixture against Bournemouth, broadcast live on Sky Sports with an 8 PM kickoff. Arne Slot, having successfully guided the Reds to the title in his debut season, will look to continue their dominance with key players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk committed to the club. However, they will have to face the challenge without Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has reportedly moved to Real Madrid.
The opening weekend is packed with exciting matchups spread across four days. On Saturday, August 16, Aston Villa will host Newcastle in an early kickoff, while Brighton takes on Fulham, Nottingham Forest faces Brentford, Sunderland welcomes West Ham, and Tottenham Hotspur plays Burnley. The late Saturday game sees Wolves hosting Manchester City. Sunday, August 17, features Chelsea against Crystal Palace and a high-profile clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford. The first round concludes on Monday, August 18, with Leeds United hosting Everton.
Several key storylines are emerging as the season approaches. Liverpool's quest to retain the title will be closely watched, with Manchester City and Arsenal expected to mount strong challenges. Manchester United will be under pressure to improve after a disappointing previous season. The promoted teams – Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland – will be eager to establish themselves in the top flight. The Tyne-Wear derby is back after Sunderland's promotion, adding spice to the season. Also, this season marks the first at Everton's new stadium, the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Other notable dates include Liverpool's first away game against Newcastle on August 23, and their first encounter with Manchester City on November 8. The Merseyside derby against Everton is set for September 20. The Christmas period will see Liverpool play Wolves on December 27 and Leeds on December 30.
The Premier League has also taken steps to address the congested Christmas and New Year schedule, ensuring that no two match rounds take place within 60 hours of each other. The season start date allows for maximum player rest time, with 83 clear days from the end of the 2024/25 season, while the end date ensures the season finishes ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period. There will be no games on Christmas Eve.
This season will also see the full implementation of semi-automated offside technology. Puma will replace Nike as the official match ball supplier.
