Defending champions Liverpool will open the 2025–26 Premier League season at home to AFC Bournemouth on Friday, August 15, under the lights at Anfield. New manager Arne Slot begins his tenure with a home fixture, while title rivals Manchester City will begin their campaign the next day with a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
A blockbuster showdown between Manchester United and Arsenal headlines Sunday’s fixtures, with newly promoted Leeds United wrapping up the opening round on Monday night when they host Everton.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa will face Newcastle United in a clash between two sides that pushed for Champions League qualification last season. Brighton take on Fulham, Nottingham Forest meet Brentford, and play-off winners Sunderland mark their Premier League return by welcoming West Ham United.
Thomas Frank’s first test as Tottenham Hotspur boss will come against newly promoted Burnley, while Chelsea begin their season at home to FA Cup holders Crystal Palace.
August
Matchday 2
| Date / Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| 23 August—15:00 | AFC Bournemouth v Wolves |
| 23 August—15:00 | Arsenal v Leeds |
| 23 August—15:00 | Brentford v Aston Villa |
| 23 August—15:00 | Burnley v Sunderland |
| 23 August—15:00 | Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest |
| 23 August—15:00 | Everton v Brighton |
| 23 August—15:00 | Fulham v Man Utd |
| 23 August—15:00 | Man City v Tottenham |
| 23 August—15:00 | Newcastle v Liverpool |
| 23 August—15:00 | West Ham v Chelsea |
Early-season highlights include a mouthwatering Liverpool vs Arsenal showdown in matchweek three, followed by the first Manchester derby of the campaign just two weeks later when City host United.
The first Merseyside derby sees Liverpool welcome Everton in mid-September, before visiting their rivals’ new stadium in April. Arsenal and Tottenham will face off in their first North London derby of the season in late November at the Emirates, while fierce rivals Sunderland and Newcastle will renew hostilities on Saturday, December 13.
On the final day of the season, Liverpool play host to Brentford, Manchester City meet Aston Villa, and Arsenal end their campaign with a London derby against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Matchday 3
| Date / Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| 30 August—15:00 | Aston Villa v Crystal Palace |
| 30 August—15:00 | Brighton v Man City |
| 30 August—15:00 | Chelsea v Fulham |
| 30 August—15:00 | Leeds v Newcastle |
| 30 August—15:00 | Liverpool v Arsenal |
| 30 August—15:00 | Man Utd v Burnley |
| 30 August—15:00 | Nottingham Forest v West Ham |
| 30 August—15:00 | Sunderland v Brentford |
| 30 August—15:00 | Tottenham v AFC Bournemouth |
| 30 August—15:00 | Wolves v Everton |
September
Matchday 4
| Date / Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| 13 September—15:00 | AFC Bournemouth v Brighton |
| 13 September—15:00 | Arsenal v Nottingham Forest |
| 13 September—15:00 | Brentford v Chelsea |
| 13 September—15:00 | Burnley v Liverpool |
| 13 September—15:00 | Crystal Palace v Sunderland |
| 13 September—15:00 | Everton v Aston Villa |
| 13 September—15:00 | Fulham v Leeds |
| 13 September—15:00 | Man City v Man Utd |
| 13 September—15:00 | Newcastle v Wolves |
| 13 September—15:00 | West Ham v Tottenham |
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