Premier League 2025/26 fixtures: Key dates, opening weekend and derbies to watch

BeSoccer 2 months ago 8k

Premier League 2025-26 Fixtures: when does it start, feature matches. AFP

The Premier League has officially confirmed the fixture list for the 2025/26 season, which is set to begin on Saturday, 16 August 2025 and conclude on Sunday, 24 May 2026.

The English football fans can now mark their calendars as a host of mouth-watering encounters await across the campaign. Here's a look at the key dates and standout fixtures from the newly unveiled schedule.

Opening weekend

The season begins on Friday night, with Liverpool welcoming AFC Bournemouth to Anfield under the lights.

Matchweek 1 fixtures:

Friday 15 August

20.00 CEST – Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth (Sky Sports)

Saturday 16 August

12.30 CEST – Aston Villa vs Newcastle United (TNT Sports)

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham

Nottingham Forest vs Brentford

Sunderland vs West Ham United

Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley

17.30 CEST – Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City (Sky Sports)

Sunday 17 August

14.00 CEST – Chelsea vs Crystal Palace (Sky Sports)

16.30 CEST – Manchester United vs Arsenal (Sky Sports)

Monday 18 August

20.00 CEST – Leeds United vs Everton (Sky Sports)

Among the opening weekend highlights is the clash at Old Trafford, where Manchester United host Arsenal in an early test of title credentials.

Final day fixtures – Sunday 24 May

As is tradition, all ten fixtures will be played simultaneously on the final day of the season.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester United

Burnley vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

Fulham vs Newcastle United

Liverpool vs Brentford

Manchester City vs Aston Villa

Nottingham Forest vs AFC Bournemouth

Sunderland vs Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton

West Ham United vs Leeds United

Key dates and derbies

The campaign is packed with high-profile encounters and traditional rivalries.

Manchester United vs Arsenal: The season's first blockbuster match arrives on the opening weekend at Old Trafford. The return fixture at the Emirates is scheduled for Saturday, 24 January (subject to change).

Liverpool vs Manchester United: One of English football's great rivalries resumes on Matchweek 8 (Saturday, 18 October) at Anfield, with the reverse fixture at Old Trafford on 2 May (Matchweek 35) – potentially decisive in the title race.

Manchester derby: City and United meet first at the Etihad on 13 September (Matchweek 4). The return leg is pencilled in for 17 January at Old Trafford (Matchweek 22).

Liverpool vs Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's side will be determined to reclaim the title from Arne Slot's Liverpool. The two face off on 8 November (Matchweek 11) at the Etihad, with the return at Anfield on 7 February (Matchweek 25).

Arsenal v Liverpool: These two title contenders lock horns on 20 September (Matchweek 5), with the reverse fixture set for 18 April (Matchweek 33).

Merseyside derby: The first derby will be hosted at Anfield on 20 September (Matchweek 5), while the historic first Everton vs Liverpool at the newly built Hill Dickinson Stadium will take place on the weekend of 18 April (Matchweek 33).

Chelsea vs Liverpool: The Blues look to re-establish themselves under Enzo Maresca. They host the Reds at Stamford Bridge on 4 October (Matchweek 7), with the return at Anfield on 9 May (Matchweek 36).

Chelsea vs Arsenal: It's another fixture to watch, set for 29 November (Matchweek 13), with the return encounter on 28 February (Matchweek 28).

North London derby: Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur on 22 November (Matchweek 12), with the reverse fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 21 February (Matchweek 27).