Coventry City will begin their first Premier League campaign in 25 years with a Friday night trip to the champions, Arsenal, on 21 August. The Sky Blues, who won the Championship last season, face the Gunners at the Emirates in the season’s curtain raiser, 34 days after the World Cup final in the United States.
The opening weekend also sees Michael Carrick’s Manchester United travel to newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday 22 August, a request granted by the Premier League because Old Trafford’s pitch has been dug up for the first time in 14 years. Ground staff are installing new turf and safety features after Benjamin Sesko aggravated an injury when pushed down the three-foot slope and hit the advertising boards. United’s last game before the extended three-week international break – merging September and October – is away at Fulham, meaning Carrick’s side will play only two Premier League matches at Old Trafford before the weekend of 10 October.
“Coventry City begin their first Premier League season in 25 years with a Friday night trip to champions Arsenal.”
Andoni Iraola takes Liverpool to Newcastle on Sunday 23 August for his debut after replacing the sacked Arne Slot, while Manchester City start life without Pep Guardiola at home to Bournemouth on the same day, with Marco Rose beginning his reign as Cherries boss. Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea begin at Fulham on Monday 24 August, the Cottagers still to appoint a new manager after Marco Silva’s departure.
The season will end on 30 May 2027 – later than usual because of the World Cup – with the Champions League final six days later. A joint-record nine Premier League teams have qualified for European competition: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool in the Champions League; Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace in the Europa League; Brighton in the Conference League.