Essential Dates for the 2026/27 Football Season
The 2026/27 football calendar is packed across top leagues from England’s Premier League and Championship to La Liga, Serie A, and the Champions League. Here’s a clear guide to key start and end dates you should save.
Premier League
- Start: August 21, 2026
- End: May 30, 2027
- The season begins a week later than usual because of the expanded World Cup. Arsenal, as champions, face promoted Coventry City in the opening Friday night game.
- Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester City happens on August 16 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Scottish Premiership
- Start: July 31, 2026
- End: May 16, 2027
- The league kicks off earlier than England’s top tier, with its first weekend on August 1–2.
- The league splits into a top six and bottom six after April 10-11.
- Celtic enters as defending champions, heading into Champions League qualifiers.
EFL Championship
- Start: August 14, 2026
- End: May 31, 2027
- This second tier starts early across 46 matchdays.
- The playoffs expand from four to six teams this season.
- The playoff final is set for May 29-31.
Champions League
- League Phase Begins: September 8-10, 2026
- Ends: June 5, 2027 (Final)
- The 36-team league phase remains, starting after the August 27 draw.
- Top eight teams advance directly to the Round of 16; teams ranked 9-24 enter knockout playoffs.
- Paris Saint-Germain are favorites to defend their title, with the final in Madrid’s Metropolitano stadium.
FA Cup
- First Round: November 7, 2026
- Final: May 15, 2027
- The oldest cup competition starts with lower-tier clubs battling for spots in the first round.
- Premier League and Championship sides join in the third round on January 9-10.
- Manchester City aim to defend their crown at Wembley.
Serie A
- Start: August 23, 2026
- End: May 30, 2027
- Starts a week later than usual due to the World Cup.
- Inter Milan look to defend their 21st league title.
- A winter break pauses the season before resuming in January.
Bundesliga
- Start: August 28, 2026
- End: May 22, 2027
- The German top flight begins last among the big five leagues.
- Winter break starts after Matchday 14; play resumes January 8.
- Bayern Munich defends their title; Schalke 04 return; newcomers SV Elversberg debut.
- Supercup between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund on August 22.
La Liga
- Start: August 16, 2026
- End: May 30, 2027
- El Clásico takes place twice: October 25 at Camp Nou and May 9 at Bernabeu.
Ligue 1
- Start: August 22-23, 2026
- End: May 29, 2027
- PSG opens the season at home against Rennes.
- The league runs 18 teams over 34 matchdays with no midweek fixtures this year.
Complete 2026/27 Football Calendar
- Community Shield: August 16 (One day)
- Premier League: August 21 - May 30, 2027
- Champions League (League phase): September 8 - June 5, 2027 (Final)
- Serie A: August 23 - May 30, 2027
- Bundesliga: August 28 - May 22, 2027
- La Liga: August 15-16 - May 30, 2027
- Ligue 1: August 22-23 - May 29, 2027
- Europa League (League phase): September 16 - May 2027
- Conference League (League phase): October 15 - May 2027
- FA Cup (First Round): November 7 - May 15, 2027 (Final)
- Carabao Cup: August 7-9 - February 28, 2027 (Final)
- EFL Championship: August 14 - May 8, 2027
- Scottish Premiership: July 31 - May 16, 2027
- WSL (Women’s Super League): September 4-6 - May 21-23, 2027
The summer was largely shaped by the expanded 48-team World Cup, which delayed European leagues’ usual schedules. Players’ recovery times vary based on how far their nations advanced, causing unique preparations for clubs before the season kicks off.
