Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will open the 2026/27 Premier League season at home to Coventry City on Friday 21 August, with the champions handed the first fixture of the new campaign at Emirates Stadium.
The Premier League confirmed the full 380-match schedule on Friday 19 June, listing Arsenal v Coventry City as a 20:00 kick-off live on Sky Sports. The game will mark Coventry’s return to this level against the side beginning the season as the team everyone else is chasing.
Arsenal’s first league away trip comes at Aston Villa on Saturday 29 August, before Chelsea visit Emirates Stadium on Saturday 5 September. The first north London derby is away at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 5 December, while Manchester United come to north London on Saturday 19 December, according to the Premier League fixture release.
Arsenal handed a headline start after title triumph
The opening-night slot gives Arteta’s side immediate visibility after a title-winning campaign and places the pressure straight back on Arsenal in front of their own supporters.
Coventry’s visit also brings a clear promoted-club storyline. Arsenal will expect to set the tone early, but the schedule quickly sharpens: Villa away, Chelsea at home and Sunderland away all arrive before the end of September.
The final day is also notable, with Brighton & Hove Albion due at Emirates Stadium on Sunday 30 May. If Arsenal are again in the title conversation, that fixture could carry serious weight.
