Premier League has confirmed a later start date of August 22 for the 2026-27 season, following the World Cup, and has signaled a return to more traditional Boxing Day fixtures.
The Premier League has confirmed that the 2026-27 season will begin on Saturday, August 22, 2026—33 days after the 2026 World Cup final—and will feature a commitment to a greater number of Boxing Day matches.
According to a report from The Argus, Brighton and Hove Albion will face a later start and a possible increase in Boxing Day fixtures when the Premier League returns for the 2026-27 season.
The Prem announced details of the upcoming season on Friday, confirming that the campaign will kick off on August 22, 2026—a date that is essentially a week later than what has been the norm in recent years.
This start date places the beginning of the league exactly 33 days on from the 2026 World Cup final.
The Premier League has also committed to a greater number of Boxing Day matches, though there is only one Premier League fixture on December 26 this season, which has caused complaints.
For the 2026-27 season, December 26 falls on a Saturday, and Monday, December 18 will be a Bank Holiday.
The season is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, May 30, 2027, ahead of the Champions League final on June 5. The term’s 38 matches will comprise 33 weekends and five midweek rounds.
Over the Christmas and New Year period, the schedule is designed to ensure there is a gap of at least 60 hours between match rounds. A Premier League statement read:
“This is in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested Christmas and New Year schedule within the expanded international calendar.”
The league also noted that the schedule will be designed to avoid domestic competition clashes with UEFA club dates wherever possible.