The 2025-26 Premier League season is poised to get underway on Saturday, August 16, promising another thrilling chapter in the English top flight. The season will feature a total of 33 weekend rounds and five midweek rounds of matches before concluding on May 24, 2026.
Defending champions Liverpool will kick off their title defense against AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. The opening match will also be a poignant moment, with a special tribute planned for forward Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in an accident. The momentum of the opening weekend will peak with a clash between two of England’s biggest rivals, as Manchester United and Arsenal face off at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17.
For football enthusiasts in India, JioHotstar has secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for the next three seasons, starting with the 2025-26 campaign. Fans can stream all the matches on JioHotstar, which is also accessible through an OTTplay Premium subscription. The season welcomes back three newly promoted teams to the top flight: Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland.
Here’s a snapshot of the season’s opening weekend:
August 16, 2025:
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth at Anfield (00:30 IST)
Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United (17:00 IST)
Brighton vs. Fulham (19:30 IST)
Sunderland vs. West Ham United (19:30 IST)
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Burnley (19:30 IST)
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester City (22:00 IST)
August 17, 2025:
Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace (18:30 IST)
Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford (18:30 IST)
Manchester United vs. Arsenal (21:00 IST)
August 19, 2025:
Leeds United vs. Everton (00:30 IST)
The full fixture list for the season has been released, promising several high-profile clashes. Notably, Liverpool will host Arsenal on August 31, while Manchester City will face Manchester United on September 13.
As the new season begins, fans will be eager to see if Liverpool can defend their title and if any of the newly promoted teams can make a mark in the world’s most-watched football league.