Champions Arsenal kick off against Coventry, with Iraola and Alonso set to make their debuts

The 2026/27 English Premier League season officially kicks off on Friday, August 21. The main event of the opening will be the match of Arsenal of London, which begins the defense of its long-awaited title. Mikel Arteta's side, who broke the club's 22-year drought last season and lifted the trophy from Manchester City on the final day of the league, will open the campaign at the Emirates. Their first opponent will be recently The calendar at the start of the season for the Gunners will be difficult, but it is significantly different from last year: Round 2: match against Aston Villa. Round 3: Home London derby against Chelsea. The first meeting with the main competitor, Manchester City, will take place only at the end of November. North London derbies against Tottenham are scheduled for early December (away) and May 1 (home). This season will be marked by the start of the work of several well-known specialists in new places: Liverpool: Arne Slota's Andoni Iraola will make his debut in charge of the Reds in a tough away game against Newcastle at St James' Park. In mid-November, the Spaniard will have his first classic clash with Manchester United, and at the end of the same month, the first Merseyside derby at Everton's new stadium (Gill Dickinson). Iraola will visit his former club, Bournemouth, on September 19. Chelsea: New Blues Xabi Alonso won't have to travel far for his first game. His team will play the West London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Manchester City: The team begins life after Pep Guardiola. The rejuvenated townspeople will play their first league match at the Etihad against Bournemouth, who are now Marco Rose. Manchester's main confrontation will take place at the start of autumn. Manchester City host United at the Etihad on September 12, with the second leg at Old Trafford at the end of March. Meanwhile, Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham will open the season with an away match against Brentford. However, the most difficult test for Spurs will be the end of the championship: in the last five rounds, they will play alternately against Arsenal, Chelsea, Coventry, Manchester United and Aston Villa. Special attention should be paid to the teams promoted from the Championship: Frank Lampard's Coventry City return to the top flight for the first time since 2001 (immediately coming under the rink of champions Arsenal). Gull City, which is in the play-off final despite the high-profile "Spygate" scandal, will host Manchester United at home in the first round. Ipswich Town will celebrate with a home match against another newcomer, Sunderland.