MaplePitch Logo

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.

Related News