Premier League 2026-27 fixtures revealed: Champions Arsenal open at home to promoted Coventry
The 2026-27 Premier League schedule was released on Friday, with champions Arsenal beginning their title defence at home to promoted Coventry City on August 21.
Opening weekend
Defending champions Arsenal start the 2026-27 campaign at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, August 21, against Coventry City, back in the top flight after 25 years. Other promoted sides, Hull City and Ipswich Town, also feature: Hull host Manchester United on Saturday and Ipswich entertain Sunderland. The weekend showcases several high‑profile managerial debuts. Andoni Iraola takes charge of Liverpool for the first time at Newcastle United on Sunday, while Manchester City, beginning a post‑Guardiola era, welcome Bournemouth that same day. On Monday, Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea travel to Fulham for a west London derby.
New managers and fresh eras
Frank Lampard leads promoted Coventry, and Iraola succeeds Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool. Chelsea appointed Alonso in May after a 10th‑placed finish and a season without European football for the first time since 2016‑17. Tottenham, who escaped relegation by only two points, are under Roberto De Zerbi. Fulham, yet to name Marco Silva’s successor after he joined Benfica, have held talks with Álvaro Arbeloa, according to The Athletic. The post‑Guardiola void at Manchester City remains unfilled as the season looms.
- Arsenal v Coventry City – season opener (Friday)
- Hull City v Manchester United; Ipswich Town v Sunderland
- Liverpool (Iraola debut) at Newcastle; Man City v Bournemouth
- Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea debut at Fulham (Monday)
- Manchester derby at Old Trafford
- Manchester United at Liverpool
- Arsenal v Manchester City; Merseyside derby
- North London derby (Tottenham v Arsenal); Chelsea v Liverpool
- Boxing Day – Coventry (Lampard) at Chelsea
- Final day – Arsenal v Brighton, etc.
Key clashes and derbies
The first Manchester derby of the new era takes place at Old Trafford on September 12, with Michael Carrick’s United hosting City. United then visit Liverpool on November 21. A potential top‑of‑the‑table meeting comes on November 28 when Arsenal host City at the Emirates; the same weekend sees Liverpool visit Everton in the Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The north London derby is set for December 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while Lampard faces his old club Chelsea on Boxing Day. Alonso’s Chelsea host Liverpool on December 5, with the reverse fixture at Anfield on May 1.
The final day
All 20 clubs play on May 30, 2027. Arsenal finish at home to Brighton, Manchester City travel to Sunderland, and Liverpool host Bournemouth. Chelsea end their campaign against Brentford and Manchester United welcome Fulham. Other notable dates include a Leeds United vs Manchester United fixture on October 17 and Brighton’s rivalry clashes with Crystal Palace on October 10 and May 15.
