Liverpool will begin their Premier League title defence at home to Bournemouth on Friday, 15 August, as the fixtures for the 2025/26 season were announced.
Arne Slot’s side, who stormed to a record-equalling 20th league crown last season with four games to spare, will raise the curtain on the new campaign at Anfield. The Reds are aiming to become the first English side to win 21 top-flight titles.
A challenging start awaits the champions, with trips to Newcastle and a high-profile clash at home to last season’s runners-up Arsenal in the opening weeks.
Elsewhere on the opening weekend, Arsenal travel to Old Trafford for a heavyweight showdown with Manchester United on Sunday, 17 August. New United boss Ruben Amorim will be eager to begin his tenure with a statement win after the club slumped to 15th last season – their worst finish since 1973/74 – and fell short in the Europa League final against Tottenham.
Amorim has already begun rebuilding the squad, with Wolves forward Matheus Cunha his first major signing.
Tottenham, under new manager Thomas Frank, host newly promoted Burnley on Saturday, 16 August, while Sunderland mark their return to the top flight with a visit to West Ham. Fellow newcomers Leeds United will travel to Goodison Park to face Everton on Monday, 18 August.
Manchester City, coming off a rare trophyless campaign, begin their season away to Wolves at Molineux. Pep Guardiola’s men will be determined to bounce back and reassert themselves as title contenders.
Everton fans will have to wait until the second round of fixtures to see their side play at the newly constructed Hill Dickinson Stadium. Their home debut will be against Brighton.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have wasted little time strengthening their squad. The club have reportedly agreed a record-breaking deal worth up to £116 million to sign German star Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, with teammate Jeremie Frimpong also set to join. A move for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is believed to be close to completion.
The Premier League season will span 380 matches across 33 weekends and five midweek rounds, concluding on 24 May 2026. The final day will feature key match-ups including Manchester City hosting Aston Villa.
In a statement, the Premier League confirmed the earlier start date allows for 83 days of rest between seasons, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in Canada, Mexico and the United States on 11 June.