Chelsea begin Xabi Alonso era with derby showdown as new Premier League fixtures revealed | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca and Frank Lampard set for Stamford Bridge returns as new boss also reunites with Liverpool

The Blues are in dire need of improvement after a miserable end to the last campaign, which saw Liam Rosenior - only hired in January to replace Enzo Maresca - sacked, and former Under-21s head coach Callum McFarlane take over again as the club lost eight of their final 11 games to finish down in 10th.

Alonso’s first major test comes away at champions Arsenal on the first weekend of September. It is part of a mixed opening run for Chelsea, who also host Brighton and newly-promoted Hull in their first five games as well as travelling for another west London derby at Brentford.

Alonso will be reunited with former club Liverpool in early December, before a first trip to Anfield to begin May.

Former Blues head coach Maresca is set to take charge of Manchester City to replace Pep Guardiola, and comes back to Stamford Bridge in April. Chelsea go to City in the run-up to Christmas.

Fiercely contested derbies with Tottenham are in October and May, while Frank Lampard will return to his former home with Championship winners Coventry in early March. Coventry host Chelsea on Boxing Day.

New arrival: Xabi Alonso will be hoping to make a quick start in charge at Chelsea

PA

The traditional festive period will also see Chelsea take on another promoted team in Ipswich. Their first game of 2027 is at home to Newcastle, and the season concludes with a match against Brentford at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea fixtures for Premier League 2026/27 season

August

24/08/2026 - Fulham (a)

29/08/2026 - Brighton and Hove Albion (h)

September

05/09/2026 - Arsenal (a)

12/09/2026 - Hull City (h)

19/09/2026 - Brentford (a)

October

10/10/2026 - Bournemouth (h)

17/10/2026 - Everton (a)

24/10/2026 - Tottenham Hotspur (h)

31/10/2026 - Manchester United (h)

November

07/11/2026 - Sunderland (a)

21/11/2026 - Leeds United (h)

28/11/2026 - Nottingham Forest (a)

December

02/12/2026 - Crystal Palace (h)

05/12/2026 - Liverpool (h)

12/12/2026 - Manchester City (a)

19/12/2026 - Aston Villa (h)

26/12/2026 - Coventry City (a)

30/12/2026 - Ipswich Town (a)

January

02/01/2027 - Newcastle United (h)

06/01/2027 - Crystal Palace (a)

16/01/2027 - Sunderland (h)

23/01/2027 - Leeds United (a)

30/01/2027 - Nottingham Forest (h)

February

06/02/2027 - Manchester United (a)

10/02/2027 - Newcastle United (a)

20/02/2027 - Ipswich Town (h)

27/02/2027 - Aston Villa (a)

March

03/03/2027 - Coventry City (h)

13/03/2027 - Arsenal (h)

20/03/2027 - Hull City (a)

April

10/04/2027 - Fulham (h)

17/04/2027 - Brighton and Hove Albion (a)

24/04/2027 - Manchester City (h)

May

01/05/2027 - Liverpool (a)

08/05/2027 - Tottenham Hotspur (a)

15/05/2027 - Everton (h)

23/05/2027 - Bournemouth (a)

30/05/2027 - Brentford (h)

All fixture dates subject to change.