The 2025-26 Premier League season is set to kick off with a bang as the full fixture list has been officially released, promising a thrilling campaign filled with high-stakes clashes, historic derbies, and plenty of drama. The season will begin on Friday, August 15, 2025, with reigning champions Liverpool hosting AFC Bournemouth at the iconic Anfield stadium, marking the start of what could be another fiercely competitive title race.
Liverpool, under the guidance of Arne Slot, clinched the Premier League crown in his first season at the helm, and they will be eager to defend their title against a Bournemouth side led by Andoni Iraola. This opening fixture sets the tone for the season, with Liverpool looking to assert their dominance early on their home turf.
The opening weekend is packed with exciting matchups, including Sunderland's return to top-flight football after an eight-year absence. Sunderland will host West Ham United in what promises to be an intense clash as the Black Cats aim to establish themselves in the Premier League once again. Newly promoted Leeds United and Burnley will also face tough tests, going up against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
One of the standout fixtures of the first round is the eagerly anticipated Manchester United versus Arsenal match at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17, 2025. Scheduled for a 4:30 PM BST kickoff, this North-West London rivalry is always a spectacle, and fans will be keen to see how both teams start their campaigns.
Beyond the opening weekend, the fixture list reveals a packed schedule featuring 33 weekends and five midweek rounds, designed to balance competitive integrity with player welfare. The Premier League has ensured no two match rounds will occur within 60 hours of each other during the festive period, providing players with more rest and recovery time. Notably, there will be no fixtures on December 24, 2025, allowing players and fans alike to enjoy the Christmas Eve holiday.
The season will run through to its climax on Sunday, May 24, 2026, when all ten matches will kick off simultaneously at 4:00 PM BST, maintaining the tradition of an electrifying final day where title, European qualification, and relegation battles often reach their dramatic conclusions. One fixture to watch on this final day is Manchester City hosting Aston Villa, a repeat of the 2021-22 season finale where City famously came from behind to seal the title.
Key derby dates have been highlighted across the season, promising intense local rivalries that are sure to captivate fans. The North London derbies between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will take place on November 22, 2025, and February 21, 2026. The Manchester derbies, always a highlight, are scheduled for September 13, 2025, when Manchester City face Manchester United, and again on January 17, 2026, with the fixture reversed.
The Merseyside derbies between Liverpool and Everton are set for September 20, 2025, and April 18, 2026, while the North West derbies featuring Liverpool and Manchester United will occur on October 18, 2025, and May 2, 2026. The M23 derbies between Crystal Palace and Brighton are scheduled for November 8, 2025, and February 7, 2026, and the North East derbies between Sunderland and Newcastle United will take place on December 13, 2025, and March 21, 2026.
Fans can also look forward to the Community Shield on August 8, 2025, where Liverpool, the Premier League champions, will face FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, setting the stage for the season ahead. The Carabao Cup will kick off in mid-August, with Premier League clubs not involved in European competitions entering in the second round starting the week of August 25, 2025. The remaining seven clubs will receive byes to the third round, scheduled for mid-September.
The FA Cup third round will begin on January 10, 2026, with Premier League clubs joining the competition at this stage, adding another layer of excitement to the mid-season calendar.
Transfer windows will play a crucial role in shaping squads ahead of and during the season. An exceptional pre-Club World Cup transfer window ran from June 1 to June 10, 2025, followed by the summer transfer window reopening on June 16, 2025, and closing on September 1, 2025, at 11 PM BST. The winter transfer window will open on January 1, 2026, and close on February 2, 2026, giving clubs opportunities to strengthen their squads mid-season.
The Premier League's scheduling has been carefully crafted to allow a maximum of 83 clear days of rest between the end of the 2024-25 season and the start of the new campaign, ensuring players are well-prepared and reducing the risk of injury. The season will also conclude ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period, allowing international players to transition smoothly between club and country duties.
Fans eager to plan their viewing can download the full fixture list to their digital devices via the Premier League's official app and website, released promptly at 9:00 AM BST on June 18, 2025. This digital calendar will help supporters keep track of all 380 matches scheduled throughout the campaign.
With the season promising a blend of historic rivalries, fresh challenges for promoted clubs, and the defending champions looking to maintain their grip on the title, the 2025-26 Premier League season is shaping up to be a captivating journey for players, coaches, and fans alike. As the fixtures unfold, every match will carry significance, from the opening whistle at Anfield to the final moments on May 24, 2026.
