United also face a stern early test. After hosting Arsenal, they will meet Fulham and Burnley before entering a difficult spell featuring clashes with Manchester City and Chelsea. A trip to Anfield awaits on October 18, with the return fixture against Liverpool at Old Trafford set for May 2.
Manchester City, meanwhile, begin their campaign away at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Pep Guardiola’s side—coming off a summer campaign at the Club World Cup—face Tottenham, United, and Arsenal all within their first five league games. The former champions will be under pressure to hit form quickly in a competitive title race.
Liverpool Start Title Defense at Anfield
Premier League champions Liverpool will open their title defense at Anfield on Friday, August 16, against AFC Bournemouth. Arne Slot men will then travel to Newcastle before hosting Arsenal, Everton, and Manchester United in a high-stakes start to their campaign. A visit to Stamford Bridge rounds off a demanding early schedule by mid-October.
Following their opening Champions League group stage fixtures, Liverpool face challenging away matches against Chelsea, Brentford, and Manchester City. Their first Merseyside derby of the season comes shortly after European action, when they host Everton.
Tottenham Begin New Era Under Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham era kicks off at home against newly promoted Burnley, followed by a daunting trip to face Manchester City. Spurs face a punishing November stretch with consecutive matches against Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal. The North London club will also face Frank’s former side, Brentford, twice in December.
Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, start with a London-heavy opening slate—taking on Crystal Palace, West Ham, Fulham, and Brentford. However, the Blues face a brutal run-in from late February, with matches against Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Manchester City, United, Liverpool, and Spurs likely to define their season.
Key Fixture Dates and Season Timeline
- FA Community Shield: August 9 or 10
- UEFA Super Cup: August 13
- Premier League Kickoff: August 16
- European Leagues Begin:
- Ligue 1: August 16
- LaLiga: August 17
- Bundesliga: August 22
- Serie A: August 23
- UEFA Champions League Draw: August 28
- Transfer Window Closes: September 1
- Champions League Begins: September 16
City’s 2026 Gauntlet, Season End, and World Cup Build-Up
City’s title push may hinge on a difficult early 2026 period, with a sequence that includes Chelsea, Brighton, Manchester United, Wolves, Tottenham, Liverpool, Fulham, and Newcastle. That run could prove pivotal in the title race.
The Premier League season concludes on May 24, giving players less than three weeks to recover and prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in the United States on June 11.
As the countdown to kickoff begins, fans across the globe can anticipate a thrilling start to the new Premier League season—one filled with top-tier clashes, managerial debuts, and early title-defining showdowns.
