The Premier League 2025-26 season is set to kick off with reigning champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth at Anfield in a highly anticipated opener. Scheduled for Friday, 15 August, this curtain-raiser will see Arne Slot’s side begin their title defense in front of a home crowd under the lights. Liverpool, who lifted their third Premier League trophy in seven seasons, aim to maintain their dominance in English football.
The Premier League opening weekend will also witness high-voltage clashes, including Manchester United versus Arsenal at Old Trafford, and newly promoted teams like Sunderland and Leeds making their return to top-flight football.
Premier League 2025-26 Opening Weekend Fixtures (All Times BST):
| Date | Fixture | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 August (Fri) | Liverpool vs Bournemouth | 20:00 | Anfield |
| 16 August (Sat) | Aston Villa vs Newcastle | 12:30 | Villa Park |
| 16 August (Sat) | Brighton vs Fulham | 15:00 | Amex Stadium |
| 16 August (Sat) | Nottingham Forest vs Brentford | 15:00 | City Ground |
| 16 August (Sat) | Sunderland vs West Ham | 15:00 | Stadium of Light |
| 16 August (Sat) | Tottenham vs Burnley | 15:00 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium |
| 16 August (Sat) | Wolves vs Manchester City | 17:30 | Molineux |
| 17 August (Sun) | Chelsea vs Crystal Palace | 14:00 | Stamford Bridge |
| 17 August (Sun) | Manchester United vs Arsenal | 16:30 | Old Trafford |
| 18 August (Mon) | Leeds vs Everton | 20:00 | Elland Road |
The Premier League fixture list has been designed to offer competitive balance and adequate rest for players. Notably, the league has guaranteed that clubs will not be required to play twice in under 60 hours during the festive season. This comes as part of broader player welfare measures.
The 2025-26 Premier League season will span 380 matches across 33 weekends and five midweek rounds, concluding on Sunday, 24 May 2026. This season will also mark the beginning of a new television broadcasting deal. All matches not affected by the traditional Saturday 3:00 PM blackout will be aired live on either Sky Sports or TNT Sports, enhancing accessibility for global football fans.
Newly promoted clubs are back in the spotlight. Sunderland, returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2016-17, will face West Ham at home in a test of their top-tier readiness. Leeds United, having won the Championship title, are set to host Everton on Monday night football, a fixture that promises excitement and a charged Elland Road atmosphere.
Burnley also return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and are set to face Tottenham Hotspur away. The game will be Thomas Frank’s first league match in charge of Spurs, bringing fresh managerial narratives to the league.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will look to bounce back from a rare trophyless campaign. Pep Guardiola’s men begin their journey at Wolves, hoping to reignite their championship firepower with a strong performance at Molineux.
For Everton fans, the much-anticipated debut of their club at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium is set for the second round of fixtures when they welcome Brighton. This marks a new chapter in the club’s long history and symbolizes ambition for the Merseyside outfit.
The Premier League 2025-26 campaign comes with significant stakes. Clubs are not only competing for domestic glory but also for European qualification. The season’s schedule, refined by the Premier League committee, provides maximum player recovery time between the 2024-25 end and the new start on 15 August 2025, allowing players to return fresh and competitive.
Football fans around the world can now start counting down to another thrilling season. With Liverpool vs Bournemouth leading the charge, and fixtures like Manchester United vs Arsenal and Chelsea vs Crystal Palace lighting up the weekend, expectations are sky-high for goals, drama, and unforgettable moments.
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Stay tuned as the Premier League 2025-26 kicks off in style, and be sure to catch every moment live across Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
