Three relegations in four seasons have plunged Leicester City to arguably the lowest point in their 142-year history – the 2016 Premier League champions will start the League One season at promoted Notts County on 15 August. It is only the second time the Foxes have played in the third tier, 17 years after their only previous campaign, and comes after back-to-back drops that have left them rebuilding a side badly underperformed despite players such as Ghana's Abdul Fatawu. Financial pressures remain after a points penalty for historical overspending last season.
In stark contrast, Coventry City will travel to champions Arsenal on Friday, 21 August for their first top-flight match in 25 years, opening the 2026-27 Premier League season. The Sky Blues won the Championship last season and now face Mikel Arteta's Gunners, who won their first Premier League title since 2004.
“Leicester start League One at Notts County after back-to-back relegations, while Coventry open Premier League at champions Arsenal.”
Bromley, League Two title winners, will play their first-ever League One match at Barnsley – a side that spent 132 of its 134-year existence in non-league football. Ten years ago, 106 places and four divisions separated Bromley and Leicester, with the Ravens finishing 14th in the National League while Leicester were being crowned Premier League champions. They will meet for the first time on Tuesday, 20 October at Hayes Lane.
Sheffield Wednesday, relegated as Championship bottom side after points penalties and administration, take on Leyton Orient. Newly appointed Oxford boss Aaron Ramsey learned less than 48 hours after taking charge that his side will host last season's League Two runners-up MK Dons. Cambridge United host Wigan Athletic, and beaten play-off finalists Stockport County travel to Plymouth Argyle.
In the Premier League, Hull City – promoted via the play-offs – host Manchester United on Saturday, 22 August, while Ipswich welcome Sunderland. Manchester City begin life without Pep Guardiola at home to Bournemouth on Sunday, 23 August, with the visitors starting under 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, now led by Xabi Alonso, visit Fulham on Monday, 24 August; the Cottagers have yet to appoint a manager after Marco Silva's departure.
The Premier League season starts 34 days after the World Cup final in the United States, ending on 30 May 2027 – both later than usual because of the World Cup. A joint-record nine Premier League teams 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.