Man Utd to face Arsenal in week one … Liverpool open season against Bournemouth

Champions Liverpool will host Bournemouth on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 Premier League season, with Manchester United playing Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Liverpool, who won the league in Arne Slot’s first season in charge, will begin their title defence at Anfield in the curtain-raiser on Friday, 15 August.

Newly promoted Sunderland, back in the top flight for the first time since 2016-17, start their campaign at home against West Ham the following day.

Championship winners Leeds welcome Everton to Elland Road for the Monday night game, while Burnley – promoted back to the top flight at the first time of asking – travel to Europa League holders Tottenham, who will be led by Thomas Frank in a league match for the first time.

Everton fans will have to wait until the second round of fixtures for their first league game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, when they will face Brighton.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will hope to bounce back from a rare trophyless season with a strong start against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

The season, which consists of 380 games over 33 weekends and five midweek rounds, will conclude on Sunday, 24 May.

The Premier League has said the start date of 15 August – 82 days on from the end of the 2024-25 season – “allows for the maximum player rest time available”.

During the festive period, clubs will not be asked to play twice in less than 60 hours.

Premier League opening-weekend fixtures in full

Friday, 15 August

Liverpool v Bournemouth (21:00)

Saturday, 16 August

Aston Villa v Newcastle (13:30)

Brighton v Fulham (14:00)

Nottingham Forest v Brentford (14:00)

Sunderland v West Ham (14:00)

Tottenham v Burnley (14:00)

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City (18:30)

Sunday, 17 August