Premier League 2026/27 season start date, final day, live Sky Sports games and match schedule
Premier League 26/27 season starts a week later due to 2026 World Cup; the opening game of the new top-flight campaign sees Arsenal face newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates on Friday August 21; watch at least 215 live Premier League games on Sky Sports in 2026/27
Friday 19 June 2026 14:24, UK
Already thinking about the next Premier League season? Here are all the key dates you need to know...
When will the new PL season start?
The 2026/27 season starts with the Friday Night Football clash between champions Arsenal and newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates on Friday August 21.
- In full: All the 2026/27 Premier League fixtures
- Arsenal | Villa | Bournemouth | Brentford | Brighton | Chelsea | Coventry | Palace | Everton | Fulham | Hull | Ipswich | Leeds | Liverpool | Man City | Man Utd | Newcastle | Forest | Sunderland | Spurs
That is a week later than the 25/26 season, to help player recovery following the 2026 World Cup.
When does the 2026/27 Premier League season end?
The Premier League has confirmed the final match round will be played on Sunday May 30 2027.
All 10 fixtures will kick off at the same time and shown live on Sky Sports.
That date is a week before the 2027 Champions League final on June 5.
What will the Christmas schedule be?
The 26/27 season will consist of 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds
Only one Premier League game was available for live broadcast on Boxing Day last season, but December falls on a Saturday this year, so fans can expect a busier slate of top-flight matches this time around.
The Premier League has said that over the Christmas and New Year period, no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours "to address the congested Christmas and New Year schedule within the expanded international calendar".
- Got Sky? Watch the Premier League and more on the Sky Sports app📱
- Not got Sky? Get instant access with no contract📺
- Download the Sky Sports App and follow your Premier League side
How many games will be live on Sky Sports?
Just like in the bumper 25/26 season, Sky Sports will show a minimum of 215 live Premier League matches as part of its current four-year TV deal.
Sky Sports has first pick of matches each week and will continue to show multiple games at 2pm on Sunday on a number of weekends.
Sky Sports subscriber? You'll be able to watch all our live football straight from the Sky Sports app.
Not got Sky Sports? Upgrade to Sky Sports if you're already a Sky customer, or check out our latest offers.
Want even more flexibility? Check out NOW TV, which offers day or month membership options contract-free so customers can cancel anytime.
Which new teams are in the Premier League next season?
Frank Lampard's Coventry City were promoted from the Championship as champions, while Ipswich Town secured automatic promotion by finishing in second place.
Hull complete the Premier League 2026/27 line-up after beating Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final.
Meanwhile, West Ham, Burnley and Wolves were all relegated from the Premier League in 2025/26.
The key dates of the 2026-27 season
August 16: Community Shield: Arsenal vs Manchester City, Cardiff's Principality Stadium, kick-off 3pm
August 21: Premier League campaign starts
August 27: Champions League league phase draw
September 8-10: Champions League league phase starts
January 9: FA Cup third round
January 27: Champions League league phase ends
February 16: Champions League knockout phase begins
March 21: Carabao Cup final
May 22: FA Cup final
May 30: Premier League season ends
June 5: Champions League final, Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid
When did the summer transfer window open?
The summer transfer window opened on Monday June 15 and closes 10 days after the season starts on Tuesday September 1 at 11pm UK time.
- Stream the Premier League with NOW | Get Sky Sports
- Download the Sky Sports app | Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp
When does the winter transfer window open?
The winter transfer window opens on Friday January 1, 2027 and closes on Monday February 1, 2027 at 11pm UK time.
When do the cup competitions start?
The Carabao Cup will start for EFL clubs on the weekend of August 7-9, but dates for the later rounds have not yet been confirmed.
The FA Cup third round is scheduled around the weekend of January 9/10 2027 and the competition will culminate with the final at Wembley on Saturday May 22 2027.
When do European competitions start?
Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United have secured Champions League football.
By virtue of England's strong UEFA coefficient score, all Champions League qualifiers will avoid any July and August qualifying and playoff rounds and progress straight to the league phase, which runs from September 8-10 to January 27, 2027.
Bournemouth and Sunderland secured Europa League football on the final day of the Premier League season, while Crystal Palace will also play in the Europa League next season after winning the Conference League.
Brighton will play in the Conference League.
The Europa League league phase starts on September 16/17 and the Conference League league phase begins on October 15.
When is the Champions League draw?
The Champions League league phase draw will take place on Thursday August 27.
And the Europa League?
The Europa League draw will be held on Friday August 28.
Is there a Club World Cup this year?
No - the World Cup instead takes centre stage this summer.
The hosts have not yet been confirmed, though Mexico and Morocco - ahead of their 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal - have expressed interest in staging the 2029 edition.
Follow the new Premier League season with Sky Sports!
Sky Sports is the home of domestic club football in the UK & Ireland and will broadcast over 1,500 live matches across the Premier League, WSL, EFL and Scottish Premiership next season.
Sky Sports will show a minimum of 215 live Premier League matches in 2026/27.
Sky Sports has first pick of matches each week and will continue to show multiple games at 2pm on Sunday on a number of weekends.
Sky Sports subscriber? You'll be able to watch all our live football straight from the Sky Sports app.
Not got Sky Sports? Upgrade to Sky Sports if you're already a Sky customer, or check out our latest offers.
Want even more flexibility? Check out NOW TV, which offers day or month membership options contract-free so customers can cancel anytime.
