The 2026/27 Premier League season began on Friday 21 August 2026 and ends on Sunday 30 May 2027. It opened with Arsenal v Coventry City and finishes with every final-day match kicking off at the same time.
Start and end dates for the 2026/27 season
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening match date | Friday 21 August 2026 |
| Opening fixture | Arsenal v Coventry City at Emirates Stadium |
| Opening kick-off time | 20:00 BST |
| Final day date | Sunday 30 May 2027 |
| Final day kick-off | All matches kick off at 16:00 UK time |
| Total matches in the season | 380 |
Kick-off times for the rest of the season can move for TV selection, but the opening date and the final day are set in the official fixture list.
Why 2026/27 started later than usual
The season began a week later than usual because of the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup in summer 2026. The later start left more time between the World Cup final and the new season.
| Calendar factor | Official timing |
|---|---|
| World Cup format | 48-team FIFA World Cup |
| Gap from the end of 2025/26 | 89 clear days |
| Gap from the World Cup final | 33 days from 19 July 2026 |
| Effect on league start | Season started 1 week later than usual |
The final day, 30 May 2027, is a week before the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday 5 June 2027.
When the Premier League usually starts and ends
The Premier League traditionally starts in August and ends in May. The exact dates move from season to season, often because of summer international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA European Championship.
| Season | First match | Last day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 13 August 2021 | 22 May 2022 |
| 2022/23 | 5 August 2022 | 28 May 2023 |
| 2023/24 | 11 August 2023 | 19 May 2024 |
| 2024/25 | 16 August 2024 | 25 May 2025 |
| 2025/26 | 15 August 2025 | 24 May 2026 |
| 2026/27 | 21 August 2026 | 30 May 2027 |
Every season in the table started in August and ended in May; 2026/27 started later in August than any of the five before it.
FAQ
When did the 2026/27 Premier League season start?
It started on Friday 21 August 2026. The first fixture was Arsenal against newly promoted Coventry City at Emirates Stadium.
When does the 2026/27 Premier League season finish?
The season ends on Sunday 30 May 2027. On that final day, every match kicks off at 16:00 UK time.
Does the Premier League always begin in August and end in May?
Usually, but not always. The 2019/20 season was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed behind closed doors on 17 June 2020 and ended on 26 July 2020; the 2020/21 season then started on 12 September 2020. Every season since 2021/22 has run from August to May.
Why was the 2026/27 start date pushed back?
The expanded World Cup in summer 2026 is the key reason. The league then left a longer break before the new season, so clubs and players had more room after the previous campaign and the international tournament.