Arsenal will kick off their Premier League title defence with a home clash against newly promoted Coventry City after the release of the 2026-27 fixture schedule on Friday.
The Gunners ended a 22-year wait for the English top-flight crown in the 2025-26 season, sealing the title with one match remaining after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth in May.
Mikel Arteta’s side will open the new campaign at the Emirates Stadium on August 21 against Coventry, who secured promotion as Championship winners.
The Sky Blues return to the Premier League for the first time since 2001, having spent periods in the second, third and fourth divisions following their relegation from the top flight.
Coventry manager Frank Lampard was the first coach to beat Arteta in the Premier League, guiding Chelsea to victory over Arsenal in December 2019. Since then, however, he has failed to win any of his four league meetings with the Gunners, recording one draw and three defeats.
This will be the eighth occasion that reigning Premier League champions have begun the following season at home against a promoted team. The champions have won all seven previous encounters, scoring 21 goals.
Elsewhere on the opening weekend, Manchester United will travel to Hull City as Michael Carrick begins his first full season in charge. Hull secured promotion after defeating Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final.
United have never lost a top-flight season opener against a newly promoted side, recording nine wins and three draws.
The third promoted club, Ipswich Town, will host Sunderland, who qualified for the Europa League in their first season back in the Premier League.
On August 23, Manchester City will welcome Bournemouth in their first league match since Pep Guardiola’s departure, with Enzo Maresca widely expected to take over at the Etihad Stadium.
Liverpool, now managed by Andoni Iraola, face a difficult opening fixture away to Newcastle United. The Reds are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League opening matches and have not lost any of their last 19 meetings with Newcastle, winning 14 and drawing five.
Chelsea will host Fulham on August 24 in a London derby that could feature two new managers. Xabi Alonso is set to begin life in charge at Stamford Bridge, while Fulham are searching for a replacement for Marco Silva following his move to Benfica.
The final day of the season will see Arsenal host Brighton, Tottenham travel to Aston Villa, Liverpool face Bournemouth, and Manchester City take on Sunderland away from home.
