Liverpool v Bournemouth and Man Utd v Arsenal on Premier League opening weekend

On the opening weekend of the 2025-26 Premier League season, champions Liverpool host Bournemouth, with Manchester United taking on Arsenal at Old Trafford.

In the curtain-raiser at Anfield on Friday, August 15, Liverpool, who won the league in Arne Slot’s first year in charge, will kick off their title defense.

Sunderland, who have been newly promoted and are now back in the top flight for the first time since 2016-17, face West Ham at home the following day.

Fans of Everton will have to wait until the second round of fixtures before watching them face Brighton at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

With a strong debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will hope to resurrect their infamous trophyless season.

The 380 games that will be played over 33 weekends and five midweek rounds will come to an end on May 24.

The Premier League stated that the maximum player rest time is allowed at the start of the 2024-2019 season, which will be 82 days after the 15 August launch.

Clubs won’t be required to play twice in less than 60 hours during the holiday season.

All times BST

Friday, August 15

Liverpool v Bournemouth (20: 00)

On August 16th,

Aston Villa v Newcastle (12: 30)

Brighton v Fulham (15: 00)

Brentford vs. Nottingham Forest (15:00)

Sunderland v West Ham (15: 00)

Tottenham v Burnley (15: 00)

Manchester City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (17: 30)

Sunday, August 17

Chelsea v Crystal Palace (14: 00)

Arsenal vs. Manchester United (16:30)

18 August, Monday,

The first five games for each team are difficult, according to data from Opta.

Manchester United have the toughest start, according to their “power rankings” data, where they have lost three of the top four of the previous season in their first five games.

With games against holders Liverpool and Manchester City, who have already won the previous four titles, Arsenal are expected to have the next toughest start, as they look to strengthen their three consecutive second-place finishes.

Despite facing Champions League opponents Newcastle in their opening game, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are said to have had the simplest start to the campaign.

Sometimes, the devil can be found in a set of fixtures in the details.

How will England’s Thomas Tuchel react if he discovers Liverpool must play Arsenal at home, Chelsea away, and then Old Trafford rival Manchester City away from home just before the September, October, and November international window openings?

With nine teams in Europe and six in the Champions League, the Premier League confirmed in their fixtures announcement that “there is an increased likelihood of Premier League fixtures moving at relatively short notice, after our fixture announcements, if our clubs progress to the knockout rounds of these competitions.”

Before that, there may need to be some juggling when the first expanded lot of TV fixtures are released, either later this month or early in July, so no one will be aware that any of England’s Champions League representatives will be playing on a Tuesday and cannot therefore take the coveted Sunday TV slot from the previous weekend.

After five of their first six Champions League matches, Manchester City will play at home, which can irritate managers after a protracted midweek away trip. Instead, they will face four away games right away.

Chelsea has five away games before those first ten Champions League games, which can be grating for managers after a protracted midweek break (basically managers moan), but they do have five at home.

Manchester United’s form from the previous season might not be as good as it once was, but they will face Manchester United in the one weekend between matchdays seven and eight, so manager Mikel Arteta may hope that his team’s fate will be in the league by then.

Given that their matchday five European opponents will fall between a north London derby with Tottenham and a similarly high-energy trip to Chelsea, Arteta will likely be interested in finding out who they face on Tuesday.

Although the late kick-off will be what will really cause a stir, Newcastle and Manchester City will travel to Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, respectively, in the 27 December fixtures.

Given that lengthy trips for Burnley, Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Brentford, and Chelsea have been confirmed, the Premier League’s holiday season is well and truly over by January 3.

After their incredible Europa League victory over his old club Lyon, Manchester City new boy Rayan Cherki will not have to wait long for a chance to carry out his stated desire to “kill” Manchester United. On September 13, Ruben Amorim’s side travels to the Etihad Stadium.