A list purporting to be the Premier League fixtures for the new season has been widely circulated on social media platforms, but all is not as it appears. The official fixtures for next season will be released on Wednesday morning at 9am as [Leeds United](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/all-about/leeds-united-fc) supporters discover who the Whites will play and when in the 2025/26 campaign.
However, as is typical at this time of year, with growing excitement among fans, social media has been flooded with early fixture revelations. One particular set has been gaining significant attention.
At first glance, they appear quite credible. The usual font and layout used when the fixtures are actually released are certainly present.
But upon closer inspection, problems emerge. Most notably, there are several administrative errors which might go unnoticed if you're only casually glancing at the opening weekend or just your club's full list.
This includes the inclusion of Leicester City - despite the Foxes' relegation last term. West Ham are scheduled to play them on the final day, even though the Foxes are preparing for a season in the Championship, reports [the Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/premier-league-fixture-list-leaked-35403474).
Another mistake sees Nottingham Forest playing twice on December 30 - they're slated to host Everton but also travel to Anfield to play Liverpool. The Reds are also listed to play the Nottingham side on three occasions.
The number of errors hasn't fooled fans who are sceptical about the reliability of the leaked fixtures.
According to the leaked information, Leeds United would have welcomed Arsenal at Elland Road for the opening match of the season on August 15, marking their return to the top flight. The first weekend's highlight game would have been Newcastle United against Manchester City.
The first face-off between defending champions Liverpool and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City was supposedly set for September 27. The first Manchester derby of the season was reportedly scheduled for November 29.
Aston Villa hosting Arsenal was marked as a clash on the final day, May 24.
Despite the leak being, frankly, incorrect, the start and finish dates provided by the Premier League are accurate. The season will kick off on the weekend of Saturday, August 16, and conclude on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
The season will comprise 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds.
Players have been given 83 clear days of rest from the end of the 2024/25 season - not including those participating in the Club World Cup. Player welfare appears to have been a priority during the notorious festive period.
No two rounds occur within 60 hours of each other, honouring commitments made to clubs to address the congested Christmas and New Year schedule.
The season's end date of May 24, 2026, falls in a World Cup year and ensures the Premier League season concludes before the call-up period for the tournament begins in North America.