Arsenal will start the 2026/27 Premier League season as defending champions after ending their 22-year title drought in the 2025/26 campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s side finished the season seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who waved goodbye to long-serving manager Pep Guardiola after nine years.
Regardless of Guardiola’s successor, Man City will be among the leading candidates for the trophy next year, and after an impressive resurgence under Michael Carrick, Manchester United will hope to enter the picture.
When does the 2026/27 Premier League season start?
It’s due to start on Saturday, August 22, a week later than the 25/26 season, to allow players to recover following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The official kick-off of the 2026/27 season comes 89 days after the end of the 25/26 campaign and 33 days after the World Cup final.
In previous seasons, the opening game usually took place on the Friday of the opening weekend, but organisers will confirm the final schedule and television broadcast in due course.
When does the 2026/27 Premier League season end?
According to the Premier League, the final round of fixtures will take place on Sunday, May 30, 2027, with all ten Matchday 38 games expected to kick off at the same time.
That’s a week before the 2027 UEFA Champions League final, scheduled for June 5.
The Premier League will officially release the 2026/27 fixtures on Friday, June 10, at 10am UK time.
The 2026/27 season will feature 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds, though the Football Association will confirm the full schedule in due course.
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Premier League Christmas Schedule & Boxing Day Fixtures
Just one Premier League match received live television coverage on Boxing Day in 2025/26, but fans can expect a packed broadcast schedule in 2026/27 as December 26 falls on a Saturday this year.
It’s also worth noting that Premier League officials say no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours over the Christmas and New Year period as they look to ease fixture congestion in the expanded international calendar.
Promoted Teams: Who Has Reached the Premier League?
Frank Lampard’s Coventry City ran riot in the 2025/26 Championship season, securing a long-awaited Premier League return as champions, with Ipswich Town clinching promotion as runners-up.
Coventry’s last season in the top flight came in 2001/02, and their return marks the end of a 25-year exile from English football’s elite.
Meanwhile, Oliver McBurnie’s 95th-minute winner inspired Hull City to a nerve-wracking 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the play-off final at Wembley, helping the Tigers return to the Premier League for the first time since 2016/17.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley and West Ham United will make way for the promoted clubs, with the Irons losing their top-flight status for the first time since 2011/12.
When Does the 2026 Summer Transfer Window Open?
The summer transfer window opens on Monday, June 15, and clubs must complete their business by 11pm UK time on Tuesday, September 1, 10 days after the season begins.
On the other hand, the winter transfer window gets underway on Friday, January 1, 2027, while the curtain drops on Monday, February 1, 2027, at 11am UK time.
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When do the FA Cup and Carabao Cup start?
The Carabao Cup will start for EFL clubs on the weekend of August 7-9, but dates for the later rounds have yet to be confirmed. The Carabao Cup final is expected to take place on Sunday, 28 February, 2027 at Wembley. Man City are the reigning champions after beating Arsenal in the 2025/26 final.
As for the FA Cup, the dates remain undisclosed for the moment. However, the third round of the oldest cup competition in world football usually takes place in January, while the 2027 FA Cup final is expected to be on Saturday, 22 May, 2027 at Wembley. Man City will defend their FA Cup title after a 1-0 victory over Chelsea.
Key 2026/27 Premier League Dates
Season starts: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Fixture release date: Friday, June 10, 2026
Final day of the season: Sunday, May 30, 2027
Summer transfer window opens: Monday, June 15, 2026
Summer transfer deadline: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
January transfer window opens: Friday, January 1, 2027
January transfer deadline: Monday, February 1, 2027
Carabao Cup final: Sunday, February 28, 2027
FA Cup final: Saturday, May 22, 2027
Champions League final: Saturday, June 5, 2027