The Premier League fixtures 2026-27 are here, and the opening day already has the blood pumping. Champions Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates on Friday, 21st August, while Liverpool make the trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle — and that is just the start of it.
Premier League Fixtures 2026-27: Arsenal’s Title Defence Gets Underway
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners ended a 22-year league title drought last season, holding off Manchester City on the final day at Selhurst Park. Now they do it all over again — only this time without the brutal early schedule that tormented supporters in 2025-26. Back then, trips to Old Trafford, Anfield and St James’ Park, plus a showdown with City, all arrived before the end of September. This time around, Arsenal don’t meet City until late November. Small mercy, perhaps, but a welcome one.
Before then, Arsenal face Aston Villa in matchweek two before Chelsea come to north London the following week. Frank Lampard’s Coventry City — returning to the top flight for the first time since 2001 — get the unwelcome honour of being first through the door. The north London derby picture is also fascinating: Arsenal travel to Tottenham in early December before hosting Roberto De Zerbi’s side on 1st May.
New Faces in the Dugout — Iraola, Alonso and Rose Step Into the Spotlight
Andoni Iraola begins life as Liverpool manager at St James’ Park, and frankly he could do a lot worse than matching the 3-2 thriller Arne Slot’s side produced on Tyneside in matchweek two last season. Iraola then returns to his old stomping ground at Bournemouth on 19th September. The first Merseyside derby takes place at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in late November, with the Anfield return pencilled in for 30th January. Liverpool’s first taste of the Manchester United fixture under Iraola arrives in mid-November.
Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea debut comes at Craven Cottage against Fulham — a west London derby to get the pulses racing from day one. Manchester City, navigating their first post-Pep Guardiola era under Marco Rose, open at home to Bournemouth at the Etihad. The first Manchester derby falls on 12th September at the Etihad, with the Old Trafford return scheduled for late March.
Elsewhere, Hull City — making their Premier League bow after winning the Championship playoff final amid the Spygate scandal — host Manchester United on opening day. Ipswich Town welcome Sunderland in their own return to the top flight. Tottenham kick off at Brentford, though their run-in looks brutal: their final five opponents are Arsenal, Chelsea, Coventry, Manchester United and Aston Villa. Full fixture lists are available on BBC Sport.
