Essential Dates for the 2026/27 Football Season
From the Premier League and Championship in England to La Liga, Serie A, and the Champions League, here are the key dates to keep an eye on this season.
Premier League
The Premier League kicks off on August 21, 2026, running until May 30, 2027. The season starts a week later than usual because of the expanded 48-team World Cup. The opening match is a Friday Night Football game between defending champions Arsenal and newly promoted Coventry City. The traditional Community Shield, featuring Arsenal and Manchester City, is scheduled for August 16 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Scottish Premiership
The Scottish Premiership begins earlier, starting July 31, 2026, and finishing May 16, 2027. The season splits into two sections after the weekend of April 10-11, separating the league into top six and bottom six groups. Celtic enter as reigning champions and will begin their Champions League qualifying campaign.
EFL Championship
England's second division opens between August 14-17 across 46 matchdays, ending with the playoffs expanded from four teams to six. The playoff final, often called the richest game in football, is set for the weekend of May 29-31, 2027.
Champions League
The Champions League retains its 36-team league phase starting September 8-10, 2026, after the draw on August 27. The league phase ends January 27, 2027. The top eight clubs move straight to the Round of 16, while those ranked 9-24 battle in knockout playoffs. The final takes place on June 5, 2027, at Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium, with reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain aiming to defend their title.
FA Cup
The FA Cup's 146th edition starts November 7, 2026, with preliminary rounds involving lower league teams. The first round proper begins that day, followed by the second round on December 5. Premier League and Championship sides join in the third round over the weekend of January 9-10, 2027. The tournament concludes with the final at Wembley on May 15, 2027, where Manchester City seek to retain their crown.
Serie A
Italy’s Serie A shifts just one week later than normal, beginning August 23, 2026, and concluding May 30, 2027. Inter Milan look to defend their 21st title. A winter break interrupts the season before resuming in January.
Bundesliga
Germany's Bundesliga starts August 28, 2026, and finishes May 22, 2027. After Matchday 14, there’s a winter break, with play restarting January 8. Bayern Munich are defending champions. Schalke 04 return after three years away, and newcomers SV Elversberg join the top flight. The Supercup between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund opens on August 22.
La Liga
Spain’s top league starts August 16, 2026, ending May 30, 2027. El Clásico is played twice: first at Camp Nou on October 25 and then at the Bernabeu on May 9.
Ligue 1
France’s Ligue 1 begins on the weekend of August 22-23, 2026, with PSG hosting Rennes. The season runs through May 29, 2027, featuring 18 teams and 34 matchdays without midweek fixtures to ease the post-World Cup schedule.
2026/27 Football Calendar Overview
- Community Shield: August 16, 2026
- Premier League: August 21, 2026 – May 30, 2027
- Champions League (league phase): September 8, 2026 – June 5, 2027 (Final)
- Serie A: August 23, 2026 – May 30, 2027
- Bundesliga: August 28, 2026 – May 22, 2027
- La Liga: August 15–16, 2026 – May 30, 2027
- Ligue 1: August 22-23, 2026 – May 29, 2027
- Europa League (league phase): September 16, 2026 – May 2027
- Conference League (league phase): October 15, 2026 – May 2027
- FA Cup (First Round): November 7, 2026 – May 15, 2027 (Final)
- Carabao Cup: August 7-9, 2026 – February 28, 2027 (Final)
- EFL Championship: August 14, 2026 – May 8, 2027
- Scottish Premiership: July 31-August 1, 2026 – May 16, 2027
- WSL (Women's Super League): September 4-6, 2026 – May 21-23, 2027
