The pre-season at Liverpool was dominated by squad upheaval, with star players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Díaz, and Darwin Núñez all departing to fund new signings. Despite the turnover, the club has made ambitious moves in the transfer market, bringing in high-profile talents such as Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké, and Jeremie Frimpong. The match against Bournemouth will be a first look at how this revamped attack, still led by veterans like Mohamed Salah, will perform under pressure.
Liverpool's opener holds an emotional weight as the club also mourns the tragic passing of forward Diogo Jota in a car accident last month. The club has retired his No. 20 shirt, with "Forever 20" to be displayed on their kits throughout the campaign, serving as a constant reminder of their beloved teammate.
While Liverpool-Bournemouth is the curtain-raiser, the opening weekend is packed with other intriguing matchups. A highly anticipated clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday headlines the weekend's action, as both teams, under new management and with new-look squads, look to establish their title credentials early on. The opening weekend also sees three newly promoted clubs—Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland—make their return to the top flight, facing Everton, Tottenham, and West Ham respectively.
The 2025/26 season promises to be a thrilling one, not just for the title race, but also for the battles for European spots and survival. All eyes will be on how the new signings and managerial changes impact the league table from day one.
Here is the full list of fixtures for the 2025/26 Premier League opening weekend (all times converted to West Africa Time, WAT):
Friday, August 15
9:00 PM: Liverpool vs. AFC Bournemouth
Saturday, August 16
12:30 PM: Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United
4:00 PM: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Fulham
4:00 PM: Sunderland vs. West Ham United
4:00 PM: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Burnley
6:30 PM: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester City
Sunday, August 17
3:00 PM: Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace
3:00 PM: Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford
5:30 PM: Manchester United vs. Arsenal
Monday, August 18
9:00 PM: Leeds United vs. Everton