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When Leeds United play their three biggest rivals in the Premier League next season

Leeds United know when they will face their biggest rivals, like Manchester United and Chelse,a in their return to the Premier League.

Excitement is already building for the forthcoming season after the Premier League fixture list for 2025-26 was released on Wednesday morning.

It’s a particularly thrilling day for Leeds United fans, who are buzzing that their club is back in the big leagues and will be facing off against the country’s top clubs again.

Daniel Farke’s side will open the campaign at home to Everton and bring it to a close away at West Ham, but there are many massive fixtures to come in between.

Leeds will once again reignite some old feuds and lock horns with fierce rivals in the top flight, even though they won’t have a Yorkshire derby to compete in this year.

Here is when Leeds’ biggest Premier League fixtures in 2025-26 will take place. Get your diaries ready…

When do Leeds United play Manchester United in the Premier League?

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim looks on with a stern expression.

Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

The first two fixtures that every Leeds fan was looking for when they finally laid eyes on the fixture list were the home and away games against Manchester United.

Leeds and Man U might be meeting in a pre-season friendly this summer but that’s nowhere near the real thing.

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This hostile rivalry is always a hotly contested affair and Leeds will be desperate to pick up their first win against the historic enemy in over 15 years.

They will have to wait until next year but will finally get the chance to do so at Elland Road first on January 3, before the return fixture at Old Trafford takes place in April.

January 3, 2026: Leeds United vs Manchester United

April 11, 2026: Manchester United vs Leeds United

Leeds United vs Chelsea Premier League fixture dates

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca in a press conference.

Photo by Eddie Keogh – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

After Man Utd, Chelsea would have been the next game every supporter scanned the calendar to find.

190 miles might separate the two teams, but there is no love lost and the historical rivalry runs deep.

Leeds smashed the Blues 3-0 in 2020, but that was just one of three wins they have managed in the fixture since the turn of the millennium. The other two coming in 2001 and 2002.

The two sides last faced off in the FA Cup in 2024, with Chelsea winning 3-0. Leeds will be hoping for revenge this coming season.

December 3, 2025: Leeds United vs Chelsea

February 11, 2026: Chelsea vs Leeds United

When Leeds United face Burnley in the Premier League

Jaidon Anthony of Burnley celebrates promotion after the Sky Bet Championship match between Burnley FC and Sheffield United.

Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

Though not quite as ferocious a feud as the previous two, Leeds and Burnley have certainly garnered a competitive rivalry over the past year.

The two clubs matched each other every step of the way in last year’s tight Championship title race, with Leeds’ superior goal difference earning them the trophy after they both remarkably finished on 100 points.

It will be fascinating to see which of the sides, if any, adapts to the Premier League better and the two games are going to be crucial in both their aims of staying up.

Leeds playing Burnley at home in May could prove to be a humungous fixture in the survival race.

October 18, 2025: Burnley vs Leeds United

May 2, 2026: Leeds United vs Burnley

Leeds United vs Sunderland

Wilson Isidor of Sunderland scores the opening goal and celebrates during the Sky Bet Championship match against Leeds United.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Against all the odds, it was Sunderland who earned Play-off promotion after defeating Sheffield United at Wembley in dramatic style.

The Black Cats are expected to struggle in the top flight, though, having already lost Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson. Picking up six points against them will be crucial if Leeds are to stave off relegation themselves.

December 27, 2025: Sunderland vs Leeds United

March 4, 2026: Leeds United vs Sunderland

When Leeds face Premier League champions Liverpool

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah puts his hands on his hips.

Photo by Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images

There is always some needle when Leeds face Liverpool and the Whites will be eager to pit their wits against the reigning champions.

However, the fact that both games are set to take place in December, alongside games with Chelsea, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Sunderland, certainly makes it an incredibly difficult month.

December 6, 2025: Leeds United vs Liverpool

December 30, 2025: Liverpool vs Leeds United

Aston Villa vs Leeds United dates

While not a historical rival, the dislike between Leeds and Aston Villa grew in the wake of the infamous 1-1 draw in April 2019 as both sides chased promotion.

The game was already a feisty encounter but turned ugly when Tyler Roberts feigned to kick the ball out of play for an injury, but instead advanced and played Mateusz Klich in to score.

Heated fallout followed before Marcelo Bielsa ordered his side to let Villa equalise, much to Pontus Jansson’s chagrin.

Bad blood has remained between the sides ever since.

November 22, 2025: Leeds United vs Aston Villa

February 21, 2026: Aston Villa vs Leeds United

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