Daniel Austin
BBC Sport

According to the Premier League, putting together the fixture schedule takes up to six months.

The process is managed by multinational IT company Atos, which has its headquarters just outside of Paris.

A slew of information about the football calendar - international dates, European matchweeks, and the scheduling of the lower leagues - is inputted into the system so it can generate a list which functions.

Further information such as policing capacity and geographical proximity are also taken into account. For example, the system is told that Liverpool and Everton cannot play at home on the same weekend, because doing so would put too much on strain on police resources and transport infrastructure in one city.

The same goes for other closely situated rivals, like Manchester United and Manchester City, but the rules are more relaxed in London owing to the prevalence of top-flight clubs in the capital.

Clubs can also make requests in case there is a potential stadium clash. For example, Old Trafford will host the Super League Grand Final on Saturday, 11 October 2025, so Manchester United are likely to request their fixture is away that weekend.

Once all of the background information has been inputted, clubs are put in a pairing grid, which defines when they will play at home and when they will play away. From there, the system generates a randomised set of fixtures.

The fixture list is manually verified by Atos staff and representatives from the Premier League and Football League. If any issues are spotted, the process is repeated again and a new set of fixtures is generated until one is deemed to satisfy all requirements.

Ain't it just? We've had former players text in before but no confirmed managers yet.

To be honest, there's quite a high bar. Only the most entertaining texts make it in even if your name's Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola.

Morning Stu, I'm very well thanks.

All refreshed from my holiday to Milan. On a quieter day I'd share my pictures from the San Siro stadium tour.

Not today though, too much going on! As for Arsenal vs Liverpool, as a potential opener, incredible.

Image source, Getty Images

After three consecutive second-place finishes, Arsenal will be among the sides hoping to dethrone Liverpool.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will also be aiming to put themselves back in the title picture after a rare trophyless season.

Newcastle and Tottenham ended their trophy droughts in 2025 and both are back in the Champions League, as are Chelsea, and all will hope their squads are up to the challenge of competing on multiple fronts.

The same goes for Europa League qualifiers Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, as well as Nottingham Forest, who are in the Conference League.

A dismal campaign in 2024-25 means Manchester United have not qualified for Europe, so Ruben Amorim will hope the extra time on the training ground proves beneficial.

After all three promoted sides went straight back down last year, newly promoted trio Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland will be doing all they can to avoid the same fate.

Meanwhile, Everton may be an ever-present in the top flight during the Premier League era but, after bidding farewell to Goodison Park in May, this will be their first season at the new 52,888-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Thanks Nolberto and checks notes new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank.

Nolberto I can picture it now. Friday night under the lights.

Leeds United 4-4 Manchester United.

Three red cards, two penalties.

Sam Drury
BBC Sport

The opening day of the 2025-26 season is Saturday, 16 August - by which time 83 days will have passed since there was last any Premier League action.

In previous years, the curtain-raiser has been moved to the Friday night.

The exact date and time at which individual matches are played during each weekend will be determined at regular intervals throughout the season, based on TV selections made by broadcasters.

In total, the campaign will consist of 33 weekends and five midweek rounds of fixtures.

It all concludes with the final round of fixtures on Sunday, 24 May 2026.

Let's try and get a good conversation going - this your chance to have your say.

Favourite opening day memories, who are you hoping your club get as their first fixture? Who do you want to avoid?

Away day to Brighton in the August bank holiday weekend. Easy home fixture on your birthday. That sort of thing.

Plenty of headlines to think about.

Where will Liverpool start their title defence?

Everton's first match at their new stadium.

Sunderland returning to the Premier League after a nine years away.

The big derbies. Who do your club have at Christmas....

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport

Hello!

It's going to be a very busy day crammed full of build-up, reports and reaction to the Premier League fixtures being announced.

All the matches and matchdays will be revealed from 09:00 BST. This is your one-stop shop for the news, views and audience Get Involveds.