The English Premier League has officially released the complete fixture list for the 2025/26 season, setting the stage for another thrilling campaign. The season is scheduled to commence on Friday, August 15, 2025, and will conclude on Sunday, May 24, 2026, with all 380 matches slated to be played across 33 weekends and five midweeks.

The opening weekend features several high-profile clashes. Reigning champions Liverpool will kick off their title defense at Anfield on Friday, August 15, against AFC Bournemouth. The standout fixture of the weekend, however, is undoubtedly the encounter between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17. Other notable opening matches include Manchester City hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chelsea welcoming Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge, and newly promoted Leeds United facing Everton away on Monday, August 18.

Both Liverpool and Arsenal face demanding early schedules. Liverpool's initial fixtures include an away trip to Newcastle United, followed by home games against Arsenal and Everton by matchday five. Arsenal, who finished as runners-up for three consecutive seasons, are poised for an even tougher start, immediately following their trip to Old Trafford with away games against Leeds United, and then home fixtures against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, and Newcastle United. Manchester United, aiming to rebound from a disappointing 15th-place finish in the previous season, face a formidable opening five matches against Arsenal, Burnley, Fulham, Manchester City, and Chelsea, with Opta's supercomputer rating this as the toughest start among all teams.

The compilation of the Premier League fixtures is a complex, six-month-long process that begins early in the year, involving the league and a specialized IT company. Various factors are taken into account, including the dates for international football, UEFA competitions, and the FA Cup. The introduction of new UEFA formats in European competitions has further complicated this process, leading to an increased number of matches and requiring careful scheduling for the nine clubs participating in European football, six of which are in the Champions League.

Specific guidelines are adhered to during the fixture compilation. For every set of five matches, teams are mandated to play either three home games and two away games, or vice versa, ensuring a balance. Furthermore, no team will have more than two consecutive home or away matches. Rules also dictate that a team will begin the season with either two home or two away matches, and if they start the festive period at home, they will play away on New Year's Day or an equivalent date. Consultation with clubs regarding preferred home match dates, and consideration of security concerns, such as preventing nearby clubs like Tottenham and Arsenal from playing at home on the same weekend, are also crucial parts of this meticulous process.