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 Mikel Arteta’s side – led to their first Premier League title since 2004 – in the season’s curtain raiser.
Their fellow promoted club Hull City, who went up via the play-offs, host Manchester United on Saturday 22 August. Ipswich, also promoted, entertain Sunderland the same day.
“Coventry City will begin their first Premier League season in 25 years with a Friday night trip to champions Arsenal.”
The opening weekend is packed with managerial debuts. Manchester City start life without Pep Guardiola at home to Bournemouth on Sunday 23 August, with the Cherries also under a new manager, Marco Rose. Liverpool’s first match under Andoni Iraola, who replaced the sacked Arne Slot after leaving Bournemouth, is away at Newcastle the same day. Chelsea begin under Xabi Alonso at Fulham on Monday 24 August, with the Cottagers still searching for a new manager after Marco Silva’s departure.
The season’s start and end dates – 30 May 2027 – are later than usual because of the World Cup. The Premier League has said the schedule will be designed to “avoid domestic competition clashes with Uefa competition dates, wherever possible”. A joint-record nine Premier League clubs have qualified for European competition next season.
Christmas fixtures include a full round on Boxing Day, with Coventry’s manager, Frank Lampard, taking his side to Chelsea. The final day on 30 May sees Arsenal at home to Brighton, City at Sunderland and Liverpool hosting Iraola’s former club Bournemouth.