Premier League Schedule Released: Key Dates, Opening Weekend Fixtures & Must-Watch Matches

With the complete 2025/26 Premier League schedule finally confirmed, fans can start circling the biggest dates on their calendars and planning every match-day ritual. Below is a rapid-fire guide to the fixtures, televised games, derby days, and holiday blockbusters that will shape the new season. Opening-weekend headliners • Friday 15 August – Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth kicks off the campaign under the Anfield lights (20:00 UK). • Saturday 16 August – Aston Villa host Newcastle at 12:30, while champions Manchester City travel to Wolves for the 17:30 TV slot. • Sunday 17 August – Old foes Manchester United and Arsenal close out Matchweek 1 at 16:30, immediately testing two title hopefuls. • Monday 18 August – Leeds vs Everton wraps the first round in a classic North-vs-North West clash. Early marquee clashes • 23 August – City vs Spurs at the Etihad promises goals just eight days into the season. • 31 August – Liverpool welcome Arsenal, a fixture that produced 70 goals in the last 20 league meetings. • 14 September – The first Manchester derby (City vs United) arrives sooner than usual in MW5. • 20 September – Liverpool vs Everton, the 246th Merseyside derby, headlines the season’s first derby weekend. Holiday & winter highlights • Boxing Day (27 December) – Arsenal host Brighton, while Chelsea face Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. • New Year’s weekend (3 January) – City vs Chelsea is the standout, with Spurs hosting Sunderland in a throwback North-East–London duel. • Festive triple-header – Between 27 Dec and 3 Jan every club plays three times, so expect dramatic table swings. Run-in that could decide the title • 11 April – Chelsea welcome Manchester City in MW32, a pivotal six-pointer before the final stretch. • 18 April – City host Arsenal seven days later, giving the Gunners a shot at revenge for any earlier slip-ups. • 17 May (MW37) – United vs Nottingham Forest, Chelsea vs Spurs and Arsenal vs Burnley could have European and relegation stakes. • 24 May – Final day sees City travel to Bournemouth, while Tottenham host Everton and Liverpool entertain Brentford in what could be a three-way battle for continental spots. Local derbies & rivalries to note • North London derbies: Arsenal vs Spurs – 22 Nov at the Emirates, return leg 27 Feb at Tottenham. • Tyne-Wear pair: Sunderland’s Premier League return spices up Newcastle vs Sunderland on 21 Mar at St James’ Park; reverse fixture 24 May. • North-West showdowns: Liverpool vs Man United – 19 Oct at Anfield; return 2 May at Old Trafford. TV & streaming pointers Sky Sports retains the bulk of live UK broadcasts, with TNT Sports holding Saturday 12:30 kick-offs. NBC’s Peacock (USA), Optus Sport (Australia) and DAZN (Canada) continue as primary international partners. Keep tabs on shifting kick-off times—Champions League and Europa League involvement will trigger dozens of moves throughout the season. Midweek action Five dedicated midweek rounds (MW14, 17, 21, 26, 29) give Fantasy Premier League managers quick turnarounds and armchair fans a reason to refresh the sofa snacks at short notice. How to sync the schedule The league’s official digital calendar automatically updates fixture changes, TV picks and cup rescheduling straight to Google, Apple or Outlook. Subscribe once and every alteration—from weather postponements to UEFA conflicts—instantly appears on your phone. Travel tip sheet • Rail bargains: Advance tickets for August fixtures go on sale six weeks prior—book Liverpool vs Bournemouth before 3 July to lock in the £23 London-to-Liverpool saver. • New kick-off checkpoints: The Premier League’s “stay-until-whistle” initiative means later trains from Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham on Friday nights—check National Rail’s updated timetable. • Green credentials: Ten clubs now offer in-stadium free bike parking; Spurs added 250 extra bays at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Key dates in one glance 15 Aug – Season opener 22 Nov – First North London derby 21 Dec – Arsenal vs Man City pre-Christmas showdown 27 Dec & 30 Dec – Festive double game-weeks 11 Apr – Chelsea vs Man City 24 May – Championship Sunday Whether you’re plotting an away-day, juggling your FPL wildcard or simply counting down until “You’ll Never Walk Alone” echoes across Anfield again, the 2025/26 Premier League schedule is packed with can’t-miss moments. Bookmark this guide, subscribe to the live-updating calendar, and get ready for nine months of drama from the world’s most watched league.