Premier League fixtures released: Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and more learn order of opponents | OneFootball

The Premier League fixture list is out for the 2026-27 season and Arsenal’s defence of their crown will begin at the Emirates Stadium against newly-promoted Coventry City on August 21.

After ending their 22-year wait to become champions last season, Mikel Arteta’s side have been handed what appears to be a favourable opening month, although an early trip to Aston Villa and a derby with Chelsea means they will not have long to settle into their title defence.

Following the visit of Coventry, Arsenal travel to Aston Villa before hosting Chelsea on September 5 in the first heavyweight clash involving any of last season’s leading contenders.

While Arsenal face an early London derby, several of their rivals appear to have kinder starts.

Manchester City open against Bournemouth before facing Crystal Palace and Coventry, while Liverpool’s first major challenge comes immediately with a trip to Newcastle. Chelsea travel to Fulham before visiting Arsenal in week three, while Manchester United’s opening standout fixture is the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on September 12.

The fixture computer has also thrown up several dates that could have a huge bearing on the destination of the title.

Liverpool host Manchester City on October 10 in the first meeting between last season’s biggest challengers, before Arsenal travel to Anfield on October 31.

Just four weeks later comes what many expect to be the defining fixture of the first half of the season as Arsenal host Manchester City at the Emirates on November 28.

That match sits right in the middle of what looks Arsenal’s most demanding spell. Between the end of October and early February, the champions face Liverpool twice, Manchester City twice, Tottenham and Manchester United.

If Arteta’s side are still leading the table by February, they will have negotiated arguably the toughest stretch of fixtures facing any of the leading contenders.

The festive schedule could also play a major role. Boxing Day takes Arsenal away to Crystal Palace, Liverpool head to Hull City, Chelsea visit Coventry and Manchester City face a difficult trip to Newcastle.

Then comes the business end of the season.

The standout fixture in the run-in may be Manchester City against Liverpool on May 8. With only three rounds of matches remaining afterwards, it has all the ingredients of a potential title decider.

Arsenal’s own run-in includes Aston Villa, Tottenham, Everton and Brighton, with the north London Derby at the Emirates on May 1 immediately jumping off the page.

For Chelsea, the challenge comes even later. Xabi Alonso’s side face Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham during the closing weeks of the campaign in what appears the toughest finish of any potential title contender.

For now, though, all eyes are on opening night.

The champions begin at home, the challengers are lining up behind them, and the road to May starts with Arsenal against Coventry under the lights at the Emirates.