The 2025–26 Premier League season kicks off on Friday, 15 August 2025, with Liverpool hosting Bournemouth at Anfield. The campaign runs through to Sunday, 24 May 2026, concluding with all clubs playing on Matchday 38 simultaneously.

Opening Weekend Fixtures:

• Friday, 15 August: Liverpool vs Bournemouth

• Saturday, 16 August: Wolves vs Manchester City

• Sunday, 17 August:

  • Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

  • Nottingham Forest vs Brentford

  • Manchester United vs Arsenal

• Monday, 18 August: Leeds vs Everton

The full fixture list was released on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, featuring 33 weekends and 5 midweek rounds. Rest periods are built into the calendar to minimize fixture congestion.

The New UK TV Rights Deal: What It Means for Fans

From the 2025–26 season through 2028–29, the Premier League enters its most ambitious domestic broadcast arrangement to date. Valued at £6.7 billion over four years, this deal represents a 4% increase over the previous rights cycle and brings significant changes to how matches will be shown in the UK.

Who Owns What?

• Sky Sports has secured four out of five live rights packages, giving them exclusive rights to show at least 215 matches per season—a major increase from the 128 they currently air. These include:

  • First-pick fixtures

  • Over 140 weekend games

  • Friday and Monday night matches

  • All 10 matches on the final day of each season

• TNT Sports retains one package, showing 52 matches per season, focused on:

  • Saturday 12:30 pm kick-offs

  • Two full midweek rounds

• Amazon Prime Video will exit Premier League coverage entirely after this season, meaning only two broadcasters—Sky and TNT—will share all live matches going forward.

• BBC Sport continues its role in providing free-to-air highlights of all 380 matches via Match of the Day, Match of the Day 2, and digital platforms.

Why This Deal Matters

• More live matches than ever: With around 270 matches broadcast live each season, fans will have more access than ever before. Crucially, matches outside the Saturday 3 pm blackout will now be available to UK audiences.

• Innovative fan features: Broadcasters will offer new experiences such as:

  • Post-substitution player interviews

  • Goal celebration close-ups

  • Dressing room access

  • Half-time manager interviews
    Each club must offer at least two of these per season.

• Simplified viewing: With only two live broadcasters, fans may find it easier (and potentially cheaper) to follow their teams without juggling multiple subscriptions.

• A changing industry: BT is in talks to sell its 50% stake in TNT Sports to Warner Bros Discovery, signaling further changes in how TNT content could be distributed in the future.

• End of the 3 pm blackout: The deal doesn’t remove the traditional Saturday 3 pm blackout, but it ensures that every other kick-off time will be televised, dramatically expanding fan access.

Financial Breakdown

While the total deal is valued at £6.7 billion, the per-match value has actually dropped. With more games being aired, the average value per match is now around £6.2 million, down from £8.1 million in the previous cycle and £10.2 million before that. Still, the increased volume of coverage helps maintain total value and offers fans a richer experience.

This landmark deal represents expanded live coverage, more immersive broadcast features, and a simplified viewing experience. While fans benefit from more access, the Premier League and its broadcasters will face new challenges: keeping audiences engaged, deterring illegal streaming, and adapting to shifting media consumption habits.

If you’re a Premier League fan in the UK, 2025–26 will be the most accessible, televised, and immersive season ever.