Important Dates for the 2026/27 Football Season

From the Premier League and Championship in England to La Liga, Serie A, and the Champions League, here are the key fixtures and timelines you should note for the upcoming football season.

Overview of Key Matches Early in the Season

• September 4, 8:00pm: Liverpool vs. Ipswich Town
• September 5, 12:30pm: Newcastle United vs. Bournemouth
• September 5, 3:00pm: Brentford vs. Sunderland
• September 5, 3:00pm: Brighton vs. Leeds United
• September 5, 3:00pm: Fulham vs. Crystal Palace
• September 5, 3:00pm: Manchester City vs. Coventry City
• September 5, 3:00pm: Nottingham Forest vs. Tottenham Hotspur
• September 5, 5:30pm: Hull City vs. Aston Villa
• September 6, 2:00pm: Everton vs. Manchester United
• September 6, 4:30pm: Arsenal vs. Chelsea
• September 12, 3:00pm: Chelsea vs. Hull City
• September 12, 3:00pm: Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest
• September 12, 3:00pm: Bournemouth vs. Brentford
• September 12, 3:00pm: Crystal Palace vs. Ipswich Town
• September 12, 3:00pm: Liverpool vs. Fulham
• September 12, 5:30pm: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Everton
• September 12, 8:00pm: Sunderland vs. Arsenal
• September 13, 2:00pm: Coventry City vs. Brighton
• September 13, 4:30pm: Manchester United vs. Manchester City
• September 14, 8:00pm: Leeds United vs. Newcastle United

Season Scheduling Influenced by Expanded World Cup

The 48-team World Cup this summer shifts the European calendar, delaying some competitions by about a week to allow players time to recover and rejoin their clubs. Recovery times will vary depending on how far players advanced in the tournament. Teams will have different preparation periods ahead of the new season.

Top European Leagues and Major Competitions Start and End Dates

• Premier League: August 21, 2026 – May 30, 2027. The season opens with champions Arsenal facing promoted Coventry City on Friday night. The Community Shield featuring Arsenal vs. Manchester City takes place on August 16 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
• Scottish Premiership: July 31, 2026 – May 16, 2027. Starts earlier than England's top league with a split into two groups after April 10-11. Celtic enter as defending champions.
• EFL Championship: August 14, 2026 – May 31, 2027. This second-tier competition has expanded playoffs from four to six teams. The final playoff match is over May 29-31 weekend.
• Champions League: September 8, 2026 (League Phase) – June 5, 2027 (Final). The 36-team league format continues. Top eight clubs progress directly to Round of 16; others compete in playoffs. The final will be held at Madrid's Metropolitano stadium with Paris Saint-Germain as reigning champions.
• FA Cup: November 7, 2026 – May 15, 2027. The 146th edition starts with early rounds for lower-league teams. Premier League and Championship clubs join in the Third Round on January 9-10. The final is at Wembley, with Manchester City defending their title.
• Serie A: August 23, 2026 – May 30, 2027. The Italian league begins a week later than usual with Inter Milan defending their title. There will be a winter break before January.
• Bundesliga: August 28, 2026 – May 22, 2027. Germany's league is last of the big five to start. Bayern Munich begin as champions, with Schalke 04 returning and SV Elversberg making their debut. The Supercup between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund kicks off on August 22.
• La Liga: August 16, 2026 – May 30, 2027. Spain’s season includes two El Clásico matches: October 25 at Camp Nou and May 9 at Santiago Bernabeu.
• Ligue 1: August 22-23, 2026 – May 29, 2027. PSG start with a home game against Rennes. The league features 18 teams and 34 matchdays without midweek games to reduce post-World Cup strain.

2026/27 Football Season Calendar

• Community Shield: August 16 (single day)
• Premier League: August 21 – May 30, 2027
• Champions League (league phase): September 8 – June 5, 2027 (Final)
• Serie A: August 23 – May 30, 2027
• Bundesliga: August 28 – May 22, 2027
• La Liga: August 15–16 – May 30, 2027
• Ligue 1: August 22–23 – May 29, 2027
• Europa League (league phase): September 16 – May 2027
• Conference League (league phase): October 15 – May 2027
• FA Cup (First Round): November 7 – May 15, 2027 (Final)
• Carabao Cup: August 7–9 – February 28, 2027 (Final)
• EFL Championship: August 14 – May 8, 2027
• Scottish Premiership: July 31 – May 16, 2027
• WSL (Women's Super League): September 4–6 – May 21–23, 2027