Arsenal vs Coventry, Liverpool to play Newcastle in 2026/27 PL opening week

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Arsenal will kick off their Premier League title defence against promoted Coventry on August 21.

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The Premier League fixtures for the 2026-27 campaign were released on Friday, with the Gunners’ home game against Frank Lampard’s Coventry among the highlights in the opening round of matches.

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Coventry are back in the top flight for the first time in 25 years after winning the Championship last season.

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Andoni Iraola’s first Premier League game as Liverpool manager will be at Newcastle on August 23.

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Former Bournemouth boss Iraola’s Anfield debut is set for the weekend of August 29 against Nottingham Forest.

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Manchester City start life after Pep Guardiola at home to Bournemouth on August 23.

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City are expected to appoint former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to replace Guardiola, who stepped down at the end of the season after a decade in charge.

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New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso begins his reign with a west London derby at Fulham on August 24.

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Hull City, who won promotion via the Championship play-offs, begin their first Premier League season since 2017 with a home fixture against Manchester United on August 22.

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Ipswich, promoted in second place in the Championship, host Sunderland on August 22.

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Elsewhere on the first weekend, Europa League winners Aston Villa travel to Brighton.

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Brentford host Tottenham, Everton welcome Crystal Palace and Leeds visit Nottingham Forest.

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Arsenal, champions for the first time since 2004, face a testing period after they host Coventry.

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Mikel Arteta’s side head to Villa for their first away league game of the season, then meet Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on September 5.

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Trips to Sunderland and Brighton follow for the north Londoners.

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The weekend of September 12 brings the first Manchester derby of the post-Guardiola era, while Liverpool host Manchester United on November 21.

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City and Arsenal do not face each other until November 28 at the Emirates Stadium.

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The first Merseyside derby of the season between Everton and Liverpool is scheduled for November 28 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

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Roberto De Zerbi will get his first taste of the north London derby on December 5 when Tottenham host Arsenal.

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The pick of the Boxing Day schedule sees Coventry boss Lampard facing his old club Chelsea on December 26.

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Liverpool travel to arch rivals Manchester United on January 23 and a week later City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

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The final day of the Premier League will take place on May 30, with Arsenal at home to Brighton while City travel to Sunderland and Liverpool host Bournemouth.

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Chelsea and United finish at home to Brentford and Fulham respectively.

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The start and the end of the coming season are later than usual as a result of the World Cup, which finishes just 34 days before the Premier League begins.

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Arsenal will face FA Cup winners City in the Community Shield, which serves as the curtain raiser to the top-flight season, on August 16.

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AFP

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