The 2025/26 Premier League campaign represents a pivotal season for Arsenal. Following the official fixture release on June 18, 2025, supporters can now map out the journey from the opening day at Old Trafford to the final whistle at Selhurst Park. The season officially spans from August 15, 2025, to May 24, 2026, featuring 38 league matches alongside the expanded UEFA Champions League format and domestic cup commitments.

Arsenal begins the season with a high-stakes away match against Manchester United on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The home campaign at the Emirates Stadium kicks off a week later against newly promoted Leeds United. Key highlights for the season include the North London Derbies on November 22 (Home) and February 21 (Away), and a challenging festive period featuring two matches against Aston Villa in December.

Complete Arsenal 2025/26 Month-by-Month Fixture List

The following schedule details every confirmed Premier League fixture. Note that while dates are set, specific kick-off times for matches beyond the initial weeks are subject to change based on UK broadcast selections by Sky Sports and TNT Sports.

August 2025: A Heavyweight Opening

The season starts with an immediate test of Arsenal's title credentials. Two of the first three matches are away at traditional "Big Six" rivals.

  • August 17: Manchester United (Away) – 16:30 BST
  • August 23: Leeds United (Home) – 15:00 BST
  • August 30: Liverpool (Away) – 15:00 BST

Opening the season at Old Trafford is a rare occurrence for Arsenal, marking the first time since the 2022/23 season that the club has started away from home. The trip to Anfield at the end of the month ensures that August will be a high-intensity period requiring peak physical conditioning from the outset.

September 2025: Europe and Champions Returns

September introduces the mid-week demands of the UEFA Champions League.

  • September 13: Nottingham Forest (Home)
  • September 16-18: Champions League Matchday 1
  • September 20: Manchester City (Home)
  • September 27: Newcastle United (Away)
  • September 30-October 1: Champions League Matchday 2

The home clash against Manchester City on September 20 is arguably the most anticipated home game of the first half of the season. Balancing this with the opening Champions League group phase matches will test the squad depth significantly.

October 2025: The All-London Affair

In a unique scheduling quirk, Arsenal does not leave the capital for Premier League action during the month of October.

  • October 4: West Ham United (Home)
  • October 18: Fulham (Away)
  • October 21-22: Champions League Matchday 3
  • October 25: Crystal Palace (Home)

Reduced travel time in October offers a strategic advantage, allowing the coaching staff to focus more on recovery between domestic games and European Matchday 3.

November 2025: Derby Day at the Emirates

November is headlined by the first North London Derby of the season and a difficult trip to Stamford Bridge.

  • November 1: Burnley (Away)
  • November 4-5: Champions League Matchday 4
  • November 8: Sunderland (Away)
  • November 22: Tottenham Hotspur (Home)
  • November 25-26: Champions League Matchday 5
  • November 29: Chelsea (Away)

The back-to-back challenges of hosting Tottenham and then traveling to Chelsea at the end of the month will be a defining period for local bragging rights and league positioning.

December 2025: The Festive Grind

December is the most congested month of the calendar, with Arsenal scheduled to play six Premier League matches, plus potential cup fixtures.

  • December 3: Brentford (Home)
  • December 6: Aston Villa (Away)
  • December 9-10: Champions League Matchday 6
  • December 13: Wolverhampton Wanderers (Home)
  • December 20: Everton (Away) – First visit to Everton's new stadium
  • December 27: Brighton & Hove Albion (Home)
  • December 30: Aston Villa (Home)

A notable highlight is the trip to Everton on December 20, marking Arsenal's first competitive visit to Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. The month ends with a home double-header against Brighton and Aston Villa.

January 2026: New Year Challenges

The new year begins with a mixture of league play and the traditional entry into the FA Cup.

  • January 3: AFC Bournemouth (Away)
  • January 7: Liverpool (Home)
  • January 10: FA Cup Third Round
  • January 17: Nottingham Forest (Away)
  • January 20-21: Champions League Matchday 7
  • January 24: Manchester United (Home)
  • January 28: Champions League Matchday 8
  • January 31: Leeds United (Away)

The January 7 fixture against Liverpool at the Emirates is a critical mid-week encounter that could have massive implications for the top of the table.

February 2026: Rivalries Renewed

London derbies dominate the February schedule.

  • February 7: Sunderland (Home)
  • February 11: Brentford (Away)
  • February 14: FA Cup Fourth Round
  • February 21: Tottenham Hotspur (Away)
  • February 28: Chelsea (Home)

The second North London Derby takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 21, followed immediately by a home game against Chelsea.

March 2026: The Spring Sprint

As the season enters its final quarter, consistency becomes the priority.

  • March 4: Brighton & Hove Albion (Away)
  • March 7: FA Cup Fifth Round
  • March 14: Everton (Home)
  • March 21: Wolverhampton Wanderers (Away)

The schedule in March is slightly lighter due to the international break at the end of the month, providing a final opportunity for rest before the run-in.

April 2026: High Stakes at the Etihad

April features the return fixture against Manchester City, a game that has frequently decided the title race in recent years.

  • April 4: FA Cup Quarter-Final
  • April 11: AFC Bournemouth (Home)
  • April 18: Manchester City (Away)
  • April 25: Newcastle United (Home)

The trip to the Etihad on April 18 is the standout fixture of the month. If Arsenal is in the title hunt, this match will likely be the focal point of the global footballing calendar.

May 2026: The Final Push

The season concludes with three matches in May, ending in South London.

  • May 2: Fulham (Home)
  • May 9: West Ham United (Away)
  • May 17: Burnley (Home)
  • May 24: Crystal Palace (Away)

Arsenal will finish their home campaign against Burnley on May 17, before concluding the 38-game season away at Crystal Palace on May 24.

Champions League and Domestic Cup Windows

The 2025/26 season follows the "Swiss Model" for the UEFA Champions League, meaning Arsenal will play at least eight matches in the initial phase.

  1. Carabao Cup: Arsenal will enter in the third round, typically scheduled for late September.
  2. FA Cup: Entry begins in the third round in January 2026. The final is scheduled for May 16, 2026.
  3. Champions League Knockouts: If Arsenal finishes in the top 24 of the league phase, they will progress to the knockout rounds starting in February or March 2026.

Analyzing the 2025/26 Schedule Strength

When evaluating the difficulty of this fixture list, several periods stand out for their potential to define Arsenal's season.

The Brutal Opening Trio

Starting away at Manchester United and Liverpool within the first 14 days of the season is statistically one of the hardest starts Arsenal has faced in the Premier League era. Obtaining 4 to 6 points from these away trips would be considered a major success and would provide the momentum needed for a title charge. Failure to perform here could leave the team playing "catch-up" as early as September.

The Festive Volume

Playing six league games in December, including a trip to a hostile new Everton stadium and a quick turnaround against Aston Villa, requires meticulous squad rotation. Arsenal’s historical performance in late December has often fluctuated; in 2025, the lack of a Boxing Day fixture (matches are on the 27th) might provide an extra day of recovery that could prove vital.

The Late-Season London Focus

Much like October, the final month of the season sees Arsenal staying close to home. With games against Fulham, West Ham, and Crystal Palace all located in London, the travel fatigue that often plagues teams in May will be minimized. This could be the edge Arsenal needs if the title race goes down to the final weekend.

Key Matchups and Rivalry Dates

For many fans, the season is defined by the results against traditional rivals. Here are the dates to circle:

  • North London Derby (vs Tottenham): Nov 22 (H), Feb 21 (A)
  • Manchester City Clashes: Sept 20 (H), Apr 18 (A)
  • Manchester United Clashes: Aug 17 (A), Jan 24 (H)
  • Liverpool Clashes: Aug 30 (A), Jan 7 (H)
  • Chelsea Clashes: Nov 29 (A), Feb 28 (H)

How to Stay Updated on Fixture Changes

It is important to remember that the Premier League fixture list is a "draft" in terms of exact timings. Matches can be moved for three primary reasons:

  1. TV Selection: Sky Sports and TNT Sports pick games for live broadcast. The Premier League has committed to providing at least five to six weeks' notice for these changes.
  2. European Progression: If Arsenal plays a Champions League match on a Thursday (possible in some weeks), the following Sunday's league game may be moved.
  3. Cup Clashes: As Arsenal progresses in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup, league games scheduled for those same weekends will be rescheduled to mid-week slots later in the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Arsenal 2025/26 tickets go on sale?

Tickets are generally released to members approximately six to eight weeks before each fixture. Red and Silver members must enter a ballot system introduced by the club to ensure fair distribution.

Why is the Arsenal vs Man City game in September potentially subject to change?

The UEFA Champions League has introduced Thursday fixtures for Matchweek 1. If Arsenal or Manchester City are scheduled for a Thursday European game, the Saturday, September 20 league match will inevitably be moved to Sunday or Monday.

Will Arsenal play on Boxing Day 2025?

No. For the 2025/26 season, there are no Premier League fixtures scheduled for December 26. Arsenal’s festive fixture falls on December 27 against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Where can I watch Arsenal matches in the 2025/26 season?

In the UK, matches are split between Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and Amazon Prime Video. International viewers should check local providers like NBC (USA), Optus Sport (Australia), and Star Sports (India).

Summary of the Arsenal 2025/26 Campaign

The Arsenal 2025/26 fixture list presents a balanced but front-loaded challenge. With a difficult opening month and a high-stakes April, the team’s ability to navigate the mid-season festive grind and the expanded Champions League schedule will determine their success. The highlights of the season—the first visit to Everton's new stadium and the pivotal North London Derbies—provide plenty for supporters to look forward to. As always, staying aware of TV rescheduling and cup movements is essential for any fan planning to attend matches at the Emirates or follow the team on the road.