The 2025/26 Premier League season is set to ignite on Friday, August 15th, with reigning champions Liverpool beginning their title defense at home against AFC Bournemouth.
This highly anticipated opening weekend promises a host of thrilling encounters, including a blockbuster clash between Manchester United and Arsenal.
Arsenal begin season at Old Trafford
After finishing as runners-up for the past three seasons, Arsenal will be looking to finally end their 22-year title drought. Their quest begins with a challenging trip to Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17th, where they’ve secured only two league victories in the last 18 years.
They’ll face a Manchester United side that, despite a disappointing 15th-place finish last season, has already bolstered their squad under new head coach Ruben Amorim with the signing of forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
Historically, United boast the best record in the Premier League on opening weekends, adding another layer to this intriguing fixture.
For Arsenal, this summer transfer window is crucial, as manager Mikel Arteta has emphasized. Their early schedule looks particularly daunting, with all three opponents after a Matchweek 2 home game against Leeds United having finished in the top seven last season.
Liverpool’s title defense starts strong, followed by tough tests
Liverpool’s opening match against AFC Bournemouth at Anfield presents a favorable start, given their excellent home record against the Cherries, including a dominant 9-0 victory in August 2022.
However, new manager Arne Slot’s team faces a demanding set of fixtures early on. They’ll travel to Newcastle United in Matchweek 2, host Arsenal the following weekend, and then navigate a home Merseyside derby and a trip to Chelsea within the opening two months of the season.
New manager debuts and promoted teams’ return
Tottenham Hotspur fans will get their first glimpse of new head coach Thomas Frank in a league match as Spurs host Burnley. The Clarets will be a stern test, returning from the Championship with the league’s meanest defense last season, having conceded only 16 goals.
The other two promoted teams from the Championship also begin their Premier League campaigns at home. Sunderland will welcome West Ham United, while Leeds United will host Everton in what promises to be a raucous Monday night fixture at Elland Road. Everton will play their first Premier League match at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium in Matchweek 2 against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Manchester City’s Resurgence Test at Wolves
After relinquishing their four-year Premier League title streak to Liverpool, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City face a tricky opening match away to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves have undergone a significant resurgence since Vitor Pereira’s appointment in December, transforming from relegation candidates into one of the top seven in-form sides in the league.
Other Matchweek 1 Highlights:
Aston Villa will host Newcastle United in an early Saturday fixture, a repeat of a Matchweek 1 encounter two seasons ago where Newcastle triumphed 5-1.
Later on Saturday, Brighton will host Fulham, and Brentford will embark on their first season without Frank with a trip to Nottingham Forest.
The first of 42 London derbies this season will take place on Sunday, August 17th, as Chelsea host FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
The 2025/26 Premier League season will feature 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds, culminating in the final round on Sunday, May 24, 2026, with all matches kicking off simultaneously.
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