Liverpool will begin their Premier League title defense at home against Bournemouth on Friday, August 15, while Arsenal will face Manchester United in a significant opening weekend matchup.
Under the management of Arne Slot, the champions aim to secure the first points of the 2025/26 season at Anfield as they pursue a record 21st English top-flight title. Following the Bournemouth match, Liverpool will face challenging fixtures against Newcastle and at home against Arsenal, who have been runners-up for the past three seasons.
Thomas Frank’s first match as Tottenham's manager is scheduled for August 16 at home against newly promoted Burnley, while Sunderland will make their Premier League return against West Ham. The third newcomer, Leeds, will play against Everton on Monday, August 18. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, seeking to rebound after a disappointing last season, will look to secure a victory against Wolves at Molineux.
Everton fans will have to wait until the second round of fixtures for their inaugural league game at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, where they will take on Brighton. Notably, this season's fixture list does not include any games on Boxing Day, breaking a long-standing Premier League tradition.
Last season, Liverpool dominated, achieving a record-equalling 20th title with four games remaining under Slot’s management. The club has already bolstered its squad by agreeing to a club-record deal reportedly worth up to £116 million ($156 million) to acquire Florian Wirtz and his Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong. Additionally, a deal for Bournemouth's left-back Milos Kerkez is understood to be in advanced stages.
Manchester United, now managed by Ruben Amorim after a disappointing season that saw them finish 15th— their lowest position since the 1973/74 season— face a challenging start with a home game against Arsenal on August 17. United also lost in the Europa League final against Tottenham and are undergoing a squad rebuild, having signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
The season will consist of 380 matches spread over 33 weekends and five midweek rounds, concluding on May 24 with a match that includes Manchester City facing Aston Villa. The Premier League noted that the start date allows for a maximum player rest time of 83 days from the end of the 2024/25 season, ahead of the World Cup set to begin on June 11, 2026, in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
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