Arsenal will kick off the 2026-27 Premier League season by hosting newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday, August 21. It’s the first time the Gunners open a campaign as defending champions in over two decades, and Mikel Arteta’s squad will face Frank Lampard’s side at the Emirates Stadium in the league’s opening fixture.
Coventry is back in the top flight after 25 years away, and their schedule does them no favors. After the Emirates trip, they face Manchester City in the third round of games. That’s a brutal introduction for a team that just clawed its way up through the Championship.
The full fixture list dropped Friday, and there’s no shortage of storylines. Hull City, promoted via the playoffs, will host Manchester United in their first game back. Ipswich Town opens against Sunderland on Saturday. Both newcomers will be eager to prove they belong, but the real drama might come later.
New Liverpool boss gets a reunion right away
Andoni Iraola takes over at Liverpool and immediately gets an emotional one. His first match against Bournemouth falls on September 19, and the Basque manager also closes the season against his former club on May 30, 2027. That final-day matchup could carry weight depending on how both teams’ campaigns shake out.
Boxing Day fixtures are back in full force this season. Coventry and Lampard will face Chelsea, now managed by Xabi Alonso. That’s a rough holiday assignment for a promoted side, but it should make for compelling television.
The North London derbies are set for December 5 and May 1. Tottenham, under Roberto De Zerbi, will be desperate to close the gap on their rivals after a shaky season. The Merseyside derby lands at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on November 28, with the return leg at Anfield on January 30. That second clash comes just a week before Liverpool hosts Arsenal in what could be a pivotal stretch.
City starts fresh, United gets a friendly opening
Manchester City opens against Bournemouth on Sunday, August 23, with Enzo Maresca expected to take over for Pep Guardiola. The cross-town derby against Manchester United is September 12. Michael Carrick, now officially in charge at Old Trafford, gets a relatively soft opening against promoted Hull and Ipswich. That could buy him some early goodwill with the fanbase.
The season includes 33 weekend rounds and five midweek fixture sets, though plenty will shift due to European commitments for nine Premier League clubs. Sky Sports and TNT Sports will split broadcast rights, with Sky carrying at least 215 live games including the full Boxing Day slate.
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