Amorim’s Red Devils to face Arteta’s Gunners

Liverpool have first bite at Cherries: Premier League fixtures announced

Defending champions Liverpool will begin their 2025–26 Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth, while Manchester United will host Arsenal at Old Trafford during the opening batch of fixtures.

Liverpool, who secured the title under Arne Slot in the Dutch manager’s debut year at the helm, will kick off their title defence at Anfield on Friday, 15 August – the season’s opening fixture.

Sunderland, newly returned to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016-17 season, will get underway at the Stadium of Light against West Ham the following day.

Leeds United, who topped the Championship last term, are set to host Everton at Elland Road in the Monday evening slot. Burnley – promoted at the first opportunity – will head to north London to face Europa League champions Tottenham, with Thomas Frank overseeing his first league match in charge of Spurs.

Everton supporters will have to wait until the second gameweek for their first league outing at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, where they will take on Brighton.

Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, will look to respond to an uncharacteristic season without silverware as they begin their campaign away at Wolves at Molineux.

The fixture list comprises 380 matches spread across 33 weekends and five midweek dates, concluding on Sunday, 24 May.

The Premier League noted that the 15 August start – 82 days after the 2024/25 season ended – was chosen to “allow for the maximum player rest time available”.

Clubs will also be spared from playing twice in under 60 hours during the congested holiday period.

This will mark the first campaign under the Premier League’s revamped broadcasting agreement, with all matches not falling within the traditional Saturday 3pm window to be shown live on either Sky Sports or TNT Sports.

Premier League opening-weekend fixtures

Friday, 15 August

Liverpool v Bournemouth (20:00)

Saturday, 16 August

Aston Villa v Newcastle (12:30)

Brighton v Fulham (15:00)

Nottingham Forest v Brentford (15:00)

Sunderland v West Ham (15:00)

Tottenham v Burnley (15:00)

Wolves v Manchester City (17:30)

Sunday, 17 August

Chelsea v Crystal Palace (14:00)

Manchester United v Arsenal (16:30)

Monday, 18 August

Leeds v Everton (20:00)