The complete schedule for the opening weekend of the Premier League has been announced, featuring Liverpool going up against Bournemouth and Manchester United facing Arsenal, among other matches.
Defending champions Liverpool are set to play host to Bournemouth during the inaugural weekend of the 2025-26 Premier League season, while Manchester United will compete against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Liverpool, who claimed the championship in Arne Slot’s debut season, will kick off their title defense at Anfield in the season opener on Friday, August 15.
Sunderland, newly promoted and back in the top division for the first time since the 2016-17 season, will launch their campaign at home against West Ham the following day.
Championship victors Leeds will entertain Everton at Elland Road during the Monday evening match-up, whereas Burnley, returning to the top tier on their first attempt, will make the trip to face Europa League titleholders Tottenham, who will be managed by Thomas Frank in a league encounter for the very first time.
Everton supporters will need to wait until the second round of matches for their initial league game at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where they will meet Brighton.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will aim to recover from an unusual season without trophies with a solid performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
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The league season, comprising 380 matches over 33 weekends and five midweek rounds, will wrap up on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
The Premier League has indicated that the season will commence on August 15, 82 days after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, “to provide the utmost rest period for players.”
During the holiday season, teams will not be required to play two matches in under 60 hours.
This season marks the first year of the new Premier League television agreement, allowing all matches, except for the Saturday 3 pm games, to be aired live by either Sky Sports or TNT Sports.
Complete fixtures for the Premier League opening weekend.
Liverpool vs Bournemouth (20:00), Aston Villa vs Newcastle (12:30), Brighton vs Fulham (15:00), Nottingham Forest vs Brentford (15:00), Sunderland vs West Ham (15:00), Tottenham vs Burnley (15:00), and Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City (17:30).
On Sunday, Chelsea vs Crystal Palace (14:00), Manchester United vs Arsenal (16:30), while Leeds vs Everton (20:00) on Monday, August 18.
