The wait for club football is almost over, with Europe’s five biggest domestic leagues set to return over the next two weeks and a packed 2026-27 season already serving up plenty of fixtures worth circling on the calendar.
La Liga gets things moving first on 15 August, followed by the Premier League and Ligue 1 on 21 August. Serie A returns over the weekend of 22-23 August, before the Bundesliga completes the big-five comeback on 28 August.
For fans, that means barely two weeks between the first kick-off and having all five leagues back in action.
Premier League Starts With Arsenal’s Title Defence
The Premier League gets underway on 21 August, with defending champions Arsenal beginning their campaign at home against Coventry City.
There is little time for the big clubs to ease themselves into the season, with Newcastle United hosting Liverpool while Manchester City face Bournemouth. Brentford take on Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham meet Chelsea in two other opening-weekend fixtures.
The first Manchester derby arrives on 12 September, when Manchester United host Manchester City. Liverpool then face Manchester City on 10 October, before Liverpool’s meeting with Manchester United on 21 November.
December brings another major fixture as Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal in the north London derby on 5 December.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are expected to be among the leading contenders, with the Premier League season concluding on 30 May 2027.
La Liga Gets There First
While Premier League fans have to wait until 21 August, La Liga is already ready to go on 15 August.
The opening round includes Deportivo Alavés against Getafe, Sevilla against Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol against Levante, but the biggest early attraction is Barcelona’s meeting with Athletic Club.
Real Madrid will face Real Sociedad on 26 August, with Barcelona taking on Athletic Club the following day.
As always, the biggest fixtures will be the two El Clásico meetings between Real Madrid and Barcelona, although their exact kick-off times remain subject to confirmation and broadcast scheduling.
Serie A Brings Plenty Of Early Tests
Italy’s top flight returns on 22-23 August, with several clubs immediately facing tests that could set the tone for the season.
Lazio host Milan while Napoli face Bologna, with Juventus travelling to Sassuolo and Torino welcoming Roma.
Serie A will also feature two midweek rounds, on 28 October and 6 January, before the season concludes on 29-30 May 2027.
With international breaks scheduled throughout the campaign, clubs competing domestically and in Europe will face another demanding calendar.
PSG Begin Another Title Defence
Ligue 1 joins the action on 21 August, with Paris Saint-Germain hosting Rennes in one of the opening-round highlights.
Marseille will face Strasbourg as French clubs begin another campaign chasing PSG, who remain the side to beat after dominating the domestic scene.
The Ligue 1 season will run until 29 May 2027, with all matches in the final round scheduled simultaneously.
Bayern Begin Bundesliga Campaign At Home
The Bundesliga is the last of Europe’s big five to return, with the new season kicking off on 28 August as Bayern Munich host VfB Stuttgart.
Other opening fixtures include Union Berlin against Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund against Hamburg.
The early calendar also has several notable clashes, including Schalke against Bayern Munich on 5 September, Stuttgart against Borussia Dortmund on 19 September and Bayer Leverkusen against RB Leipzig on 20 September.
The Bundesliga season is scheduled to finish on 22 May 2027.
The Fixtures To Circle
For anyone planning their football calendar, there is already plenty to look forward to:
- Newcastle United v Liverpool
- Arsenal v Chelsea
- Manchester United v Manchester City
- Real Madrid v Real Sociedad
- Barcelona v Athletic Club
- Lazio v Milan
- Sassuolo v Juventus
- PSG v Rennes
- Bayern Munich v VfB Stuttgart
- VfB Stuttgart v Borussia Dortmund
With all five leagues returning within a fortnight, European football is wasting little time getting serious.
And with title contenders facing meaningful tests early in the campaign, the 2026-27 season could offer plenty of drama long before the trophies are decided.
Fixture dates and kick-off times remain subject to changes because of television scheduling and European competition commitments.
