It is a blockbuster start to the new season. Newly promoted Coventry City will mark their top flight return after 25 years away with a Friday night trip to champions Arsenal.

The 2026/27 Premier League season is set, and it kicks off with a cracker, cbinews.tv reports.

Newly promoted Coventry City will travel to champions Arsenal on Friday, 21 August, in the season’s curtain raiser. It will be the Sky Blues’ first top flight match in 25 years, and they get a tough welcome against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, who finally ended their 20 year wait for a Premier League title back in 2024.

The other promoted sides are also in action on opening weekend. Hull City, who came up through the play offs, host Manchester United on Saturday, 22 August. Ipswich Town are at home to Sunderland the same day.

There are big changes in the dugout too. Manchester City start life without Pep Guardiola at home to Bournemouth on Sunday, 23 August. The Cherries also have a new boss, with Marco Rose taking charge.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s first match under Andoni Iraola will be away at Newcastle on the same day. Iraola replaced the sacked Arne Slot after leaving Bournemouth.

Chelsea begin the Xabi Alonso era away at Fulham on Monday, 24 August. The Cottagers are still looking for a new manager after Marco Silva’s departure.

This season is starting later than usual. Kick off is Friday, 21 August, which is 34 days after the World Cup final in the United States. The campaign wraps up on Sunday, 30 May 2027, with the Champions League final six days later. Both dates have been pushed back because of the World Cup.

There will be 33 rounds of weekend fixtures, with the other five played midweek. The Premier League says it has tried to “avoid domestic competition clashes with Uefa competition dates, wherever possible”.

It is a record year for English clubs in Europe. Nine Premier League teams have qualified for European competition next season, matching the all time record.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool are in the Champions League. Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace go into the Europa League, while Brighton are in the Conference League.

The festive period looks a bit kinder this time. No two rounds of matches will take place within 60 hours of each other over Christmas and New Year, keeping a promise made to clubs about congested schedules. And yes, Boxing Day football is back properly. Last season only Manchester United vs Newcastle was played on 26 December, but this time there will be a full round of fixtures on Saturday, 26 December.

International breaks are changing too. Instead of three two week breaks early in the season, there will now be two. September and October’s breaks merge into a three week break starting after the weekend of 19/20 September. November’s two week break stays as normal.

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