Premier League 2026-27 fixtures announced: Arsenal begin with Coventry

The Premier League has released its 2026-27 fixture list, setting up a season opener of Arsenal at home to Coventry City on Friday, August 21.

The full 380-match schedule was published on June 19, giving clubs, broadcasters and supporters an early look at the campaign. Coventry’s trip to the Emirates Stadium is one of the headline fixtures in the opening round, with Arsenal beginning their title defence against newly promoted opposition.

Opening weekend

The first round of matches also includes Manchester United away to Hull City, Liverpool at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur at Brentford, Manchester City at Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion against Aston Villa and Fulham against Chelsea.

The fixture release is the first major marker of the new season, even though broadcast selections and kick-off times may still change.

Schedule changes and context

The 2026-27 campaign will start later than usual because of the summer World Cup, and it is scheduled to run until May 30, 2027.

Boxing Day fixtures are included in the published calendar, along with a minimum 60-hour gap between matches during the Christmas and New Year period.

That structure is designed to ease congestion in the busiest part of the season, while still preserving one of the league’s most established holiday scheduling traditions.

What comes next

Clubs are expected to publish their own fixture breakdowns and fan-travel guidance now that the schedule is public.

Further coverage is likely to focus on televised selections, derby dates and how the calendar fits around European and domestic cup commitments.