Nottingham Forest will begin their 2025/26 Premier League season at the **City Ground**against something of an unknown commodity, as they take on the first **Brentford**side not managed by Thomas Frank since 2018. The game will take place on the 16th August and is slotted for a 15:00 BST kick-off.
The 2024/25 campaign was a remarkable one for **Nuno Espírito Santo**’s side, as they spent much of it in a Champions League position, but a poor run of form at the back end of the season saw them fall out of the top five, before ultimately having to settle for Europa Conference League place.
This means that despite the disappointing end to the season, Forest will play European football for the first time in three decades, so the Tricky Trees will have to play both domestic and continental football this season.
With their European expedition beginning in mid-September, the City Ground faithful know that a good start will be vital if they are to build upon their impressive last campaign. Their first five fixtures present something of a mixed bag in terms of quality opponents, as they face Brentford (H), Crystal Palace (A), West Ham United (H), Arsenal (A), and Burnley(A).
They will then end their season with a trip to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland before travelling down south to close out the campaign against Chelsea.
Notable Fixtures
With **Leicester City**being relegated last season, Forest fans will look toward the two Midlands sides in the league as their big derby games.
Both games against **Wolves**are currently scheduled as midweek fixtures. The first will take place at Molineux Stadium on December 3rd, and the reverse fixture will be on February 11th.
As for the games against Aston Villa, the first will be Forest’s opening game of 2026 on January 3rd at Villa Park. The Villains will make their way to the **City Ground**on April 11th.
Given the recent tensions between Forest and Crystal Palace, their games will be appointment viewing. Forest will travel to Selhurst Park for the second game of the season on the 23rd of August and will host the Eagles on the 31st of January.
Forest’s games against last season’s champions **Liverpool**were some of the matches of the season, particularly the 1-1 draw at the City Ground midway through the campaign.
They will do battle with the Reds at **Anfield**on November 22nd, before welcoming them to the City Ground on the 21st of February.
Finally, perhaps some Forest fans will look towards the games against newly promoted Sunderland, given the two sides' shared connection of Brian Clough. The Black Cats will venture to Forest on September 27th, before hosting Espírito Santo’s men on the penultimate weekend of the season.
August
16th: Brentford (H)
23rd: Crystal Palace (A)
30th: West Ham United (H)
September
13th: Arsenal (A)
20th: Burnley (A)
27th: Sunderland (H)
October
4th: Newcastle United (A)
18th: Chelsea (H)
25th: Bournemouth (A)
November
1st: Manchester United (H)
8th: Leeds United (H)
22nd: Liverpool (A)
29th: Brighton and Hove Albion (H)
December
3rd: Wolverhampton Wanderers (A)
6th: Everton (A)
13th: Tottenham Hotspur (H)
20th: Fulham (A)
27th: Manchester City (H)
30th: Everton (H)
January
3rd: Aston Villa (A)
7th: West Ham United (A)
17th: Arsenal (H)
24th: Brentford (A)
31st: Crystal Palace (H)
February
7th: Leeds United (A)
11th: Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
21st: Liverpool (H)
28th: Brighton and Hove Albion
March
4th: Manchester City (A)
14th: Fulham (H)
21st: Tottenham Hotspur
April
11th: Aston Villa (H)
18th: Burnley (H)
25th: Sunderland (A)
May
2nd: Chelsea (A)
*All fixtures are subject to change.