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The countdown is on. The Premier League 2026/27 season begins on Friday, 21 August 2026, bringing back another year of blockbuster rivalries, dramatic title races and unforgettable last-minute winners.
With 380 matches across 33 weekends and five midweek rounds, there is a lot of football ahead. But unless you plan to organise your entire life around the Premier League schedule, (respect,) we’ve picked out the opening-weekend action, biggest derbies and potential title-deciding fixtures worth marking on your calendar.
When Does the Premier League 2026/27 Season Start?
If you’re searching for when the Premier League starts, when the EPL fixtures are released, or when the opening weekend kicks off, here’s a quick guide to the key dates for the 2026/27 season, and everything you need to know before the first whistle.
- Fixture release: Friday, 19 June 2026
- Opening weekend: 21–24 August 2026
- Season kicks off: Friday, 21 August 2026
- Boxing Day fixtures: Saturday, 26 December 2026
- Final day: Sunday, 30 May 2027 (all matches kick off at the same time)
The 2026/27 Premier League season will be played across 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds, giving fans another nine months of title races, derby drama and relegation battles.
PS – Check out this guide if you’re wondering where to stream the Premier League live in Singapore.
Premier League Opening Weekend Fixtures
The confetti from the 2026 FIFA World Cup has barely settled, and it’s already time for club football to take centre stage again. New signings are ready to make their debuts, promoted clubs are looking to upset the established order, and title contenders will be eager to start with three points.
Here are the biggest storylines to watch on the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season.
*💡 All kick-off times below are shown in Singapore Time (SGT). Fixtures are subject to change for TV scheduling throughout the season.
Arsenal vs Coventry City
🗓 Friday, 21 August | 🕒 3:00am SGT (Saturday, 22 August)
The new season begins at the Emirates Stadium, with defending champions Arsenal hosting newly promoted Coventry City in the opening fixture of the 2026/27 campaign. It’s the first chance to see whether the Gunners can defend their title. And whether Coventry can make an immediate statement on their return to the Premier League.
Newcastle United vs Liverpool
📅 Monday, 24 August | 🕒 12:30am SGT
One of the standout fixtures of the opening weekend sees Liverpool travel to St James’ Park. With both clubs expected to be in the race for European places, it’s an early opportunity to set the tone for the season. This will be a first competitive Premier League match in charge for Liverpool’s new manager, Andoni Iraola.
The Promoted Clubs Return
Three clubs are back in the Premier League this season:
- Coventry City
- Hull City
- Ipswich Town
Opening weekend is always a chance for promoted sides to prove they belong. Whether it’s Coventry taking on the defending champions, Hull hosting Manchester United or Ipswich beginning life back in the top flight, expect plenty of energy, and maybe a surprise result or two.
New Faces in the Dugout
The 2026/27 season also kicks off with several clubs under new management, adding another layer of intrigue to the opening weekend. Keep an eye on the debuts of Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, Andoni Iraola at Liverpool and Enzo Maresca at Manchester City, as fans get their first glimpse of what these new eras might look like.
Mark your Calendars: The Biggest Derby Matches of the Season
Not every Premier League match carries the same weight. Some are about local bragging rights. Others have decades of history behind them. And a few are simply guaranteed to dominate your group chats before, during and after kick-off.
Liverpool vs Manchester United
📅 First meeting: Saturday, 21 November 2026 (Kick-off TBC)
📅 Second meeting: Saturday, 23 January 2027 (Kick-off TBC)
England’s biggest rivalry? Many fans would say so.
Forget league positions. Form often goes out the window when these two clash. Between them, Liverpool and Manchester United have won more English league titles than any other clubs, making every meeting about more than just three points.
Fun fact: This fixture regularly attracts one of the biggest global TV audiences in club football, with hundreds of millions of viewers tuning in worldwide.
Manchester City vs Manchester United
📅 First meeting: Monday, 14 September 2026 | 12:30am SGT (Sunday 13 Sept, 4:30pm UK)
📅 Second meeting: Saturday, 20 March 2027 (Kick-off TBC)
The city stops for one weekend.
Once overshadowed by other rivalries, the Manchester derby has become one of the Premier League’s biggest occasions in the last two decades. Whether it’s a title race, a cup rematch or simply local pride, expect plenty of drama whenever the blue and red halves of Manchester collide.
Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur
📅 First meeting: Saturday, 5 December 2026 (Kick-off TBC)
📅 Second meeting: Saturday, 1 May 2027 (Kick-off TBC)
The North London Derby rarely disappoints.
Goals, late winners, controversial refereeing decisions and passionate fans—you can usually expect at least two of the four. The rivalry stretches back more than a century and remains one of the most entertaining fixtures on the calendar.
Fun fact: Home advantage has historically played a surprisingly big role in this derby, making away wins especially memorable.
Liverpool vs Everton
📅 First meeting: Saturday, 28 November 2026 (Kick-off TBC)
📅 Second meeting: Saturday, 30 January 2027 (Kick-off TBC)
The Merseyside Derby is football’s family feud.
Unlike many rivalries, plenty of Liverpool and Everton supporters live, work, and even live in the same household. Together. That makes derby day a little more personal, with local bragging rights lasting until the next meeting.
It’s also one of England’s longest-running top-flight rivalries, dating back to the 19th century.
Keep an Eye on These Too
Not every blockbuster is a traditional derby. Some of the season’s biggest matches come from clubs battling for the title or Champions League places.
Watch out for:
- Arsenal vs Liverpool
- Manchester City vs Arsenal
- Chelsea vs Liverpool
- Newcastle United vs Aston Villa
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea (because somehow, this fixture always finds a way to be chaotic)
The Matches That Could Decide the Title Race
Some fixtures have a habit of shaping the season. A win over a direct rival has the potential to build momentum, dent the competitor’s confidence, or reshape the title race in a single afternoon.
History has shown that these head-to-head clashes often play a huge role in deciding who lifts the Premier League trophy.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
If both clubs are challenging near the top again, these meetings could become season-defining. They combine two of the league’s strongest attacks with managers who aren’t afraid to take the game to each other, making them must-watch fixtures for neutrals as well as supporters.
Liverpool vs Manchester City
For much of the past decade, Liverpool and Manchester City have set the benchmark in English football. Even when the table looks comfortable, these encounters have a habit of becoming turning points in the title race.
Chelsea vs Arsenal
A London derby with even more at stake if both clubs are chasing silverware. These matches often carry extra pressure, not just because of the rivalry, but because dropping points to a direct competitor can prove costly come May.
Worth watching if these clubs are separated by only a few points heading into the second half of the season.
Boxing Day Football: A Premier League Tradition
For many fans, Christmas isn’t complete without Premier League football.
While most leagues across Europe pause for the holidays, England’s festive football schedule has become a tradition stretching back more than a century. It’s one of the busiest and most watched periods of the season.
Here in Singapore, you might be recovering from Christmas lunch or enjoying a late night catch up with family as the Boxing Day fixtures have become part of the festive routine.
Expect:
- A packed schedule across just a few days
- Plenty of family viewing over the holiday break
- Big crowds and a unique festive atmosphere
- Early clues about which teams can handle the demanding winter schedule
It’s no surprise that “Premier League Boxing Day fixtures” becomes one of the biggest football-related searches every December.
Final Day Drama
Last but not least, obviously we have to mention the final day of the season.
Every match kicks off at exactly the same time, meaning fans follow multiple games at once as the table changes in real time. One goal at one stadium can instantly change the fortunes of another club hundreds of kilometres away.
The final day can decide:
- The Premier League champions
- Which clubs are relegated
- Who qualifies for the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League
- Individual awards like the Golden Boot
Even if your team isn’t involved, it’s one of the most entertaining afternoons of the football calendar.
How to Watch Every Premier League Match Live in Singapore
Now that you’ve marked the biggest fixtures on your calendar, the next question is probably: where can you watch them?
With the fixtures released, it’s time to plan more than just your calendar.
The Premier League season is packed with late-night kick-offs, blockbuster derbies, Boxing Day football and a dramatic final day. Having the right streaming service, and a fast, reliable broadband connection means you won’t miss the moments that matter.
