Arsenal open title defence at home to promoted Coventry
The Premier League released its 2026-27 fixtures, setting Arsenal against Coventry on August 21 and mapping early tests for several new managers.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Arsenal will begin the defence of their Premier League crown at home to promoted Coventry City on August 21, according to fixtures released by the Premier League on Friday. The match starts a 2026-27 season shaped by new managers at major clubs and a later-than-usual calendar following the FIFA World Cup.
AFP reported that Coventry return to the top flight after winning the Championship last season, ending a 25-year absence from the Premier League. Frank Lampard’s side will open at the Emirates Stadium against an Arsenal team that ended a 22-year wait for the league title last season under Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal’s first weeks bring a demanding run. After hosting Coventry, Arteta’s team visit Aston Villa for their first away league fixture, then face Chelsea at the Emirates on September 5.
New managers face early tests
Liverpool will begin their league season away to Newcastle United on August 23 in Andoni Iraola’s first Premier League match as the club’s manager, AFP reported. Iraola, formerly of Bournemouth, is scheduled to take charge at Anfield for the first time on the weekend of August 29, when Liverpool host Nottingham Forest.
Manchester City start their first league campaign after Pep Guardiola with a home match against Bournemouth on August 23. AFP reported that City are expected to appoint former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca as Guardiola’s replacement after Guardiola stepped down at the end of last season following a decade in charge.
Chelsea’s new manager Xabi Alonso also begins with a derby. His first league match is away to Fulham on August 24.
Hull City, promoted through the Championship playoffs, will open at home to Manchester United on August 22. AFP reported that it will be Hull’s first Premier League season since 2017. In another opening-weekend match, Europa League winners Aston Villa travel to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Derbies and key dates
The first Manchester derby of the post-Guardiola era is scheduled for the weekend of September 12. Liverpool host Manchester United on November 21, while Arsenal and Manchester City do not meet until November 28 at the Emirates Stadium.
That same November 28 weekend also includes the first Merseyside derby of the season, with Everton hosting Liverpool at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Roberto De Zerbi’s first north London derby as Tottenham manager is set for December 5, when Spurs host Arsenal.
The Boxing Day schedule includes Coventry against Chelsea, sending Lampard up against his former club on December 26.
The Premier League season is due to finish on May 30. Arsenal close at home to Brighton, Manchester City travel to Sunderland and Liverpool host Bournemouth. Chelsea and Manchester United end their campaigns at home to Brentford and Fulham, respectively.
AFP reported that the season’s start and finish come later than usual because the FIFA World Cup 2026 ends 34 days before the Premier League begins. Before the league campaign starts, Arsenal will meet FA Cup winners Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.