The Premier League 2025/26 season is set to kick off on Friday, August 15th, 2025, and the release of the fixtures has sent fans into a frenzy, analyzing their team's opening schedules. For some clubs, the first five games offer a chance to build early momentum, while others face a daunting task that could define their season. Here's a breakdown of each club's initial fixtures and an assessment of who faces the toughest start.
Arsenal: The Gunners face a challenging start, with an opening away game against Manchester United being the highlight of the first five fixtures. Following that up is a home game against Leeds United, a home game against Liverpool, then away to Nottingham Forest and finally at home against Manchester City, which makes their start one of the most difficult in the league.
Aston Villa: Villa starts with Newcastle United (H), Brentford (A), Crystal Palace (H), Everton (A), and West Ham United (H).
AFC Bournemouth: Bournemouth begins with a difficult away match against the defending champions Liverpool, followed by Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Tottenham Hotspur (A), Brighton & Hove Albion (H), and Newcastle United (A).
Brentford: Brentford's first five are Nottingham Forest (A), Aston Villa (H), Sunderland (A), Chelsea (H), and Wolverhampton Wanderers (A).
Brighton & Hove Albion: Brighton starts their campaign against Fulham (H), Everton (A), Manchester City (H), AFC Bournemouth (A), and Tottenham Hotspur (H).
Burnley: Burnley has a tough re-introduction to the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur (A), Sunderland (H), Manchester United (A), Liverpool (H), and Nottingham Forest (A).
Chelsea: The Blues start with Crystal Palace (H), West Ham United (A), Fulham (H), Brentford (A), and Manchester United (H).
Crystal Palace: Crystal Palace begins with Chelsea (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Aston Villa (A), Sunderland (H), and Liverpool (A).
Everton: Everton's first five are Leeds United (A), Brighton & Hove Albion (H), Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Aston Villa (H), and Liverpool (H).
Fulham: Fulham plays Brighton & Hove Albion (A), Manchester United (H), Chelsea (A), Leeds United (H), and Tottenham Hotspur (A).
Leeds United: Leeds United starts away to Everton, then Arsenal(A), Newcastle United (H), Fulham (A), and West Ham United (H).
Liverpool: As defending champions, Liverpool begins at home against AFC Bournemouth, followed by Newcastle United (A), Arsenal (H), Burnley (A), and Everton (H).
Manchester City: Manchester City starts with Wolverhampton Wanderers (A), Tottenham Hotspur (H), Brighton & Hove Albion (A), Manchester United (H), and Arsenal (A). This is a very difficult start for City as they look to regain the title.
Manchester United: Manchester United begins with a high-profile home game against Arsenal, followed by Fulham (A), Burnley (H), Manchester City (A), and Chelsea (H). This is arguably the toughest start of any team in the league, facing two of last year's top four in the first five games.
Newcastle United: Newcastle United starts away to Aston Villa, then Liverpool (H), Leeds United (A), Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), and AFC Bournemouth (H).
Nottingham Forest: Nottingham Forest starts with Brentford (H), Crystal Palace (A), West Ham United (H), Arsenal (H), and Burnley (H).
Sunderland: Sunderland starts with West Ham United (H), Burnley (A), Brentford (H), Crystal Palace (A), and Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Tottenham Hotspur: Tottenham Hotspur starts with Burnley (H), Manchester City (A), AFC Bournemouth (H), West Ham United (H), and Brighton & Hove Albion (A).
West Ham United: West Ham United starts with Sunderland (A), Chelsea (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Tottenham Hotspur (A), and Aston Villa (A).
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Wolverhampton Wanderers starts with Manchester City (H), AFC Bournemouth (A), Everton (A), Newcastle United (A), and Sunderland (H).
Who Has the Hardest Start?
Based on the initial fixtures, Manchester United appears to have the most challenging start to the 2025/26 Premier League season. They face Arsenal and Chelsea in their first five games, along with a Manchester derby against Manchester City. Playing three of last season's top teams in the first five games presents a significant hurdle. Manchester City also have a very tough start with away games to Wolves, Brighton and Arsenal.
