Premier League 2025/26 fixtures released as furious fans of Big Six club claim it’s been ‘rigged’ against them

The anticipation reached fever pitch as the Premier League officially unveiled the complete fixture list for the 2025/26 season, marking the beginning of what promises to be one of the most competitive campaigns in recent memory. With all 380 matches now confirmed and uploaded to the Premier League’s official website, clubs, players, and millions of fans worldwide can finally begin planning for what lies ahead in English football’s premier competition.

The fixture release represents the culmination of an intensive six-month planning process that involves coordination between the Premier League, various governing bodies, key stakeholders, and international IT services company Atos, led by Glenn Thompson. This complex undertaking requires careful consideration of numerous factors including television broadcasting requirements, international breaks, European competition schedules, and the unique challenges presented by the expanded FIFA Club World Cup.

A New Era Begins: Liverpool’s Title Defense and Season Structure

The 2025/26 Premier League season will commence on Friday, August 15, 2025, with defending champions Liverpool hosting AFC Bournemouth at Anfield in what promises to be an emotional opening to the campaign. This early start date reflects the league’s adaptation to the revamped 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, which concludes on July 13, 2025, providing a compressed preparation period for participating clubs.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool side will be looking to build upon their successful title-winning campaign under new leadership, having transitioned from the Jürgen Klopp era. The Reds face a challenging conclusion to their season schedule, with their final fixture taking place away at Brentford, but it’s the intensity of their spring fixtures that will likely determine their championship fate.

The season structure maintains the traditional format of 33 weekends supplemented by five crucial midweek matchdays, creating a relentless rhythm that tests squad depth and tactical flexibility. The campaign will reach its climax on Sunday, May 24, 2026, when all ten final-day fixtures kick off simultaneously, potentially setting up a dramatic conclusion to what could be another closely contested title race.

Arsenal’s Nightmare Start: A Schedule That Tests Championship Ambitions

Perhaps no club has generated more discussion following the fixture release than Arsenal, whose supporters have taken to social media to express their frustration with what they perceive as an unfairly challenging start to the season. The Gunners, who have finished as runners-up in each of the last three campaigns, face a gauntlet of fixtures that could define their 2025/26 aspirations before autumn arrives.

Arsenal’s opening sequence represents one of the most demanding starts in Premier League history. Following their headline clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17, the North London club will host newly promoted Leeds United before traveling to Anfield to face champions Liverpool. This is followed by a home fixture against Nottingham Forest, who will be participating in European competition, before the ultimate test arrives in the form of Manchester City on Saturday, September 20.

The challenging nature of this fixture sequence becomes even more apparent when considering that Arsenal must then travel to Newcastle United, completing a six-game opening run that includes five of the traditional ‘Big Six’ clubs plus trips to two of the most difficult away venues in English football. This scheduling has prompted widespread debate about the fairness of fixture compilation and whether certain clubs receive preferential treatment.

Arsenal supporters have been particularly vocal in their criticism, with many taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their dismay. The sentiment among the fanbase reflects a growing frustration with what they perceive as systematic bias against their club. One supporter captured the mood perfectly, writing: “It’s rigged guys. PGMOL and the FA want Arsenal to suffer,” while another questioned: “Why are they giving us hard teams in our first 6 fixtures.”

The conspiracy theories extend beyond simple scheduling complaints, with some fans suggesting a deliberate agenda to prevent Arsenal from challenging for the title. These concerns reflect the heightened emotions surrounding a club that has come tantalizingly close to Premier League glory in recent seasons, only to fall short at crucial moments.

The Science Behind Fixture Compilation: Understanding the Complex Process

The creation of the Premier League fixture list is far from a random process. The six-month compilation period involves sophisticated algorithms and careful consideration of numerous variables that casual observers might not immediately recognize. Glenn Thompson and his team at Atos must balance competing interests while ensuring fairness and competitive integrity throughout the season.

Key factors in fixture compilation include television broa