Premier League 2026/27: Start date, fixtures, transfer windows & key dates explained

Arsenal will start the 2026/27 Premier League season as defending champions after ending their 22-year title drought this term.

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.

After an impressive resurgence under Michael Carrick, Manchester United will also hope to enter the picture.

When does the 2026/27 Premier League season start?

The Premier League starts on Saturday, August 22, a week later than the 2025/26 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 this 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 Champions League final, scheduled for June 5.

The Premier League will officially release the 2026/27 fixtures on Friday, June 10, at 10.0 am UK time.

The 2026/27 season will feature 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds, although the Premier League will confirm the full schedule in due course.

Premier League Christmas Schedule & Boxing Day fixtures

Only one Premier League match was shown live on television 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.

Promoted teams: Who has reached the Premier League?

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.

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 Stadium.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley and West Ham United will make way for the promoted clubs.

When does the 2026 summer transfer window open?

The summer transfer window opens on Monday, June 15, and clubs must complete their business by 11.00 pm UK time on Tuesday, September 1, 10 days after the season begins.

The winter transfer window gets underway on Friday, January 1, 2027, while the curtain drops on Monday, February 1, 2027, at 11.00 pm UK time.

When do the FA Cup and Carabao Cup start?

The Carabao Cup will start for English Football League clubs on the weekend of August 7-9, but dates for the later rounds have yet to be confirmed.

The final is expected to take place on Sunday, February 28, 2027, at Wembley. Man City are the reigning champions after beating Arsenal in the 2025/26 final.

The dates for the FA Cup are currently undisclosed. However, the third round of the oldest cup competition in world football usually takes place in January.

The 2027 FA Cup final is expected to be on Saturday, May 22, 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