As preparations continue for the new season, the Premier League opening day fixtures have been released – with some fans more pleased than others.
It’s a big day in the inter-season period when the new fixture list is released.
Title rivals will be circling their must-win weekends and crucial runs, while newly promoted sides will highlight when and where they’ll hope to pick up enough points for survival.
And no matter who you support, every fan will be keeping an eye out for when they face their biggest rivals.
Everyone, of course, has to play the same teams as everyone else.
But the timing and order of games can make a big difference in the Premier League.
Picking up some easy points against weaker opponents early on can build confidence and lift the pressure on a team.
Equally, a miserable run against multiple top sides can quickly derail a campaign.
But while some sets of fans are delighted with their opening Premier League fixtures, others are gearing up for a tough start.
🚨 The Premier League 2025/26 fixtures are in! 🚨
Here's how the first weekend of the season shapes up 📆
80% of all televised Premier League games next season (that's 215 fixtures) are on Sky Sports 🙌 pic.twitter.com/LsqdT6FF0D
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 18, 2025
Fans React To Premier League Opening Day Fixtures
Arsenal kick off their Premier League season with a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
Such a game may not hold the fear factor it once did, but it remains a tough test.
After that, the Gunners face newly-promoted Leeds (H), Liverpool (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Manchester City (H) and Newcastle (A).
And plenty of Arsenal fans are unhappy with the team’s rough start to the season.
One said on X (formerly Twitter): “Horrific start. Starting and finishing away shouldn’t be a thing. One or the other.”
🗓 Arsenal's fixtures for the 2025/26 Premier League.
Are you happy with the opening games? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/TWuHW3huUt
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) June 18, 2025
Chelsea fans, meanwhile, are delighted with their opening fixtures.
The Blues host Crystal Palace on match day one, followed by West Ham (A), Fulham (H), Brentford (A), Man United (A) and Brighton (H).
This means that Chelsea play only one game outside of London in their opening six matches.
And Enzo Maresca’s side play none of last year’s top seven in that period.
On Chelsea supporter said: “Our first tough fixture comes in October. Loving the fixtures.”
Presenting our 2025/26 Premier League fixtures! 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/h6hNmeBwcx
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 18, 2025
And Wolves fans were particularly unhappy with another tough start.
The Midlands outfit host Manchester City on the opening day, with fans already accepting they’ll get nothing from that match.
One said: “Why give us another top six team at start again? I could’ve done a better fixture for Wolves at the start on opening day.”
And another added: “Obviously we get one of the best teams in the league as our first game, gonna be another slow start to the season ain’t it.”
Premier League Opening Day Fixtures 2025/26
Below, we’ve listed the full opening weekend fixtures for the Premier League season.
Champions Liverpool will kick off the new campaign, hosting Bournemouth on Friday, 15 August.
Manchester United’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal is the pick of the opening round of matches, with the pair facing off on Sunday, 17 August.
Friday 15 August
20:00
- Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth (Sky Sports)
Saturday 16 August
12:30
- Aston Villa v Newcastle United (TNT Sports)
- Brighton & Hove Albion v Fulham
- Nottingham Forest v Brentford
- Sunderland v West Ham United
- Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley
17:30
- Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City (Sky Sports)
Sunday 17 August
14:00
- Chelsea v Crystal Palace (Sky Sports)
16:30
- Manchester United v Arsenal (Sky Sports)
Monday 18 August
20:00
- Leeds United v Everton (Sky Sports)
