Premier League 2025/26 Kick-Off: Complete Guide to Fixtures, Odds, and Storylines

Opening Weekend: Full Fixture List and TV Schedule

The season kicks off with defending champions Liverpool hosting AFC Bournemouth. The first round of matches, known as Matchday 1, will take place over four days.

Here is the full schedule for the opening weekend (all times are ET):

Friday, August 15

• Liverpool vs. AFC Bournemouth (3:00 PM on Sky Sports)

Saturday, August 16

• Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United (7:30 AM on TNT Sports)
• Tottenham vs. Burnley (10:00 AM)
• Sunderland vs. West Ham United (10:00 AM)
• Brighton vs. Fulham (10:00 AM)
• Wolves vs. Manchester City (12:30 PM on Sky Sports)

Sunday, August 17

• Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford (9:00 AM on Sky Sports)
• Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace (9:00 AM on Sky Sports)
• Manchester United vs. Arsenal (11:30 AM on Sky Sports)

Monday, August 18

• Leeds United vs. Everton (3:00 PM on Sky Sports)

Key Storylines for Matchday 1

The opening weekend is packed with intriguing matchups and narratives.

• Liverpool’s Title Defense Begins: After winning their record-equaling 20th English top-flight title last season, Liverpool starts their defense at home. The match marks the start of a new chapter for the club under manager Arne Slot.
• Blockbuster Clash: Manchester United vs. Arsenal: The highlight of the weekend is the historic rivalry at Old Trafford. Arsenal, after finishing second for three consecutive seasons, will be determined to start strong. Manchester United enters a new era under manager Ruben Amorim, adding another layer of intrigue to this massive fixture.
• The Return of the Promoted Clubs: Three clubs make their return to the Premier League. Sunderland is back after an eight-year absence, Leeds United returns after two years away, and Burnley is back after just one season in the Championship. They face tough opening tests against West Ham, Everton, and Tottenham, respectively.

Premier League Betting Odds: A Deep Dive

With the fixtures confirmed, US sportsbooks have released their odds. Here’s a detailed look at the betting landscape for the opening weekend and the season ahead.

Matchday 1 Moneyline Odds (from FanDuel):

Understanding the Odds: Implied Probability The odds give us an idea of the expected outcome. We can convert these odds into a percentage, known as the implied probability. For example, Liverpool’s -320 odds to beat Bournemouth translate to a 76.2% chance of winning. The total probability for all outcomes in a match adds up to over 100%. This extra percentage is the bookmaker’s margin, or “vig.”

Futures Betting: A Look at the Season Ahead While opening weekend odds are exciting, you can also bet on long-term outcomes for the season. Here are some of the key futures markets:

Liverpool enters the season as the betting favorite to win the title again, closely followed by Manchester City and Arsenal. In the race for the Golden Boot, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (+400) is the early favorite to be the league’s top goalscorer.

How to Watch the 2025/26 Season

• In the United States: All 380 Premier League matches will be available across NBC’s platforms. This includes the main NBC channel, USA Network, and the Peacock streaming service.
• In the United Kingdom: Matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and TNT Sports.

Season Context and New Changes for 2025/26

The new season begins 83 days after the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign, providing players with a proper summer rest period. The season will consist of 33 weekend rounds and five midweek rounds. The final day of the season is scheduled for May 24, 2026, which is intentionally set to give players adequate time to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Fans will also notice two key changes on the pitch:

1. New Match Ball: Puma becomes the official match ball supplier, replacing Nike.
2. Semi-Automated Offside: This will be the first full season using the new semi-automated offside technology, which is designed to make VAR decisions faster and more accurate.