Premier League gameweek 1 preview 2026/27
Premier League Gameweek 1 Preview 2026/27
Arsenal begin their title defence against Coventry City before Newcastle host Liverpool and Fulham meet Chelsea in the opening round.
By ScoreSocial Editorial Team · Fact-checked
Premier League Gameweek 1 begins on Friday 21 August 2026, when defending champions Arsenal host Coventry City, and ends with Fulham v Chelsea on Monday night. Ten fixtures across four days create the first full prediction test of 2026/27.
Opening weekends carry more uncertainty than a normal league round. Pre-season evidence is incomplete, summer squads are still settling and established expectations have not yet been tested in competitive matches. Use confirmed information, not reputation alone.
Gameweek 1 fixtures
Friday 21 August
- Arsenal v Coventry City
Saturday 22 August
- Hull City v Manchester United
- Everton v Crystal Palace
- Ipswich Town v Sunderland
- Nottingham Forest v Leeds United
- Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday 23 August
- Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa
- Manchester City v Bournemouth
- Newcastle United v Liverpool
Monday 24 August
- Fulham v Chelsea
The Premier League has warned that fixtures can move, so check the official schedule and the ScoreSocial gameweek before submitting.
The opening-round questions
How should Arsenal's title defence begin?
Arsenal start at home, but Coventry arrive without the same recent Premier League reference points as an established opponent. That makes the fixture a test of how much weight to place on the champions' proven level and how much uncertainty to reserve for an opening-day match-up.
Which returning side is easiest to read?
Coventry, Hull and Ipswich all face different opening conditions. Hull host Manchester United, Ipswich meet Sunderland and Coventry travel to the champions. Treat each fixture separately; a single blanket assumption about promoted teams ignores venue and opponent.
Where is the closest contest?
Newcastle v Liverpool is the headline Sunday fixture, while Brentford v Tottenham and Brighton v Aston Villa also pair sides capable of changing the game quickly. If you are unsure, focus on the likely shape of the match before choosing an exact score.
For broader context, read the Premier League 2026/27 season preview and the Premier League prediction league guide.
Make your predictions
Join ScoreSocial's open Premier League and enter all ten Gameweek 1 scores before the first included kickoff. Organisers can also create a private prediction league for their own group.
Sources reviewed
Fact-check date: 6 August 2026.