Arsenal start their title defence on August 21 against Coventry City, the newly-promoted side who drew the short straw and get to face the reigning champions on opening night. Brave scheduling.
The season runs from August 21, 2026 through May 30, 2027 — delayed by several weeks due to the 2026 World Cup. That later start date matters: squads returning from tournament football with less pre-season time than usual, which historically produces more early-season upsets. Laying heavy favourites in Week 1 is always a gamble, and this year the conditions make it shakier than normal.
What the opening weekend looks like
Saturday, August 22 brings the full slate. Hull City host Manchester United, Everton face Crystal Palace, Brentford take on Tottenham, and Manchester City open against AFC Bournemouth. There's enough there to keep you occupied from noon through the evening.
The Brentford vs. Spurs fixture will be worth watching closely. Brentford at home are never easy, and Tottenham's consistency in away openers has been questionable at best in recent seasons. That's a game where the odds might not fully respect the home side.
How to watch in the US
Coverage is split across NBC, USA Network, and Peacock — the same setup as before, though Peacock has raised its prices since last season. Streaming is also available through YouTube TV, Fubo, and other providers.
- TV: NBC, USA Network
- Streaming: Peacock, YouTube TV, Fubo
- Peacock free access: available through Walmart+ or Instacart+ memberships, and via certain Xfinity and Spectrum packages
- Discounted Peacock: students and military members may qualify for as low as $6/month
- Bundle deal: Peacock and Apple TV together at $14.99/month (ad-supported) or $19.99/month (ad-free)
The season is here. Arsenal will want to prove last year was no fluke. The rest of the league will spend the next nine months trying to prove it was.
