The fixtures for the 2022/23 Premier League season were published on Thursday morning and we’re in for yet another blockbuster campaign of Europe’s superior domestic league.
The 31st season of the Premier League kicks off over the weekend August 5th – 7th, one week earlier than the usual opening weekend slot. There will be a mid-season break which takes effect after match-week 16 (November 12th/13th) in order to accommodate the FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar from November 21st until December 18th.
The traditional Boxing Day fixtures will hold extra significance this year, with it being the first set of Premier League matches following the conclusion of the winter World Cup. The 38th and round of the 2022/23 PL season will be staged later than usual, with all 10 games kicking off simultaneously on Sunday, May 28th. The FA Cup final will be contested the following Saturday, June 3rd.
Premier League fixtures revealed
League champions Manchester City begin their title defence with a tricky away day at David Moyes’ West Ham United. PL runners-up and FA Cup holders Liverpool visit newly-promoted Fulham, meanwhile Chelsea are in for a meeting with club record goalscorer Frank Lampard and his Everton side.
For the second straight season Arsenal begin their season with a Friday-night away fixture in London, as the Gunners prepare to take on ex-skipper Patrick Vieira and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Tottenham are the only team from last season’s top five to begin their 2022/23 campaign at home, as they welcome Southampton to North London.
Erik ten Hag’s Man United host Brighton & Hove Albion while PL returnees Nottingham Forest play their first top-flight match since 1999, away to Newcastle Utd.
🚨 Announce 2022/23 #PLFixtures 🚨
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 16, 2022
Chelsea take on Spurs in match-week 2 (August 13th/14th), one week prior to a heated clash between Man Utd and Liverpool at Old Trafford. The weekend September 3rd – 5th is certain to see fireworks as Chelsea tackle West Ham, Everton and Liverpool contest the first Merseyside derby of the season, and Man Utd entertain Arsenal.
There is no doubt all eyes will be on Man City and Liverpool throughout the season, and they are due to encounter one another in the FA Community Shield on July 30th at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. These two juggernauts meet in the league mid-October at Anfield, with the reverse fixture scheduled for April 1st at the Etihad Stadium, which may pose substantial ramifications in the title race.
Pep Guardiola and his City army have it relatively easy-going in the opening stages of the season, which includes two PL newcomers in their opening five fixtures. Based on last term’s final standings, the Citizens face one top-half team in their first six league outings (West Ham on the opening day).
Guardiola’s new striker Erling Haaland will be looking to hit the ground running in his country of birth, after completing a switch from Borussia Dortmund this week. Haaland, 21, bagged 86 goals in 89 games for the German club and will be looking to replicate those returns in England.
Just like title rivals Man City, Liverpool meet with two recently-promoted teams in their opening set of games. Jürgen Klopp’s men also host Crystal Palace and Newcastle Utd during August, however their October schedule sees consecutive fixtures with Arsenal (A), Man City (H) and West Ham (H).
For the fourth successive season, Liverpool begin their league campaign against the reigning Championship winners. The Reds hosted Norwich City on the opening weekend in the 2019/20 season and played Leeds Utd in match-week 1 the following year. Last year they travelled to Norwich on the opening day and the upcoming season has them pitted against Fulham first up.
2022/23 Premier League, Key fixtures:
7 Aug – West Ham vs Man City
13/14 Aug – Chelsea vs Spurs
20/21 Aug – Man Utd vs Liverpool
30 Aug – West Ham vs Spurs
3/4 Sep – Chelsea vs West Ham
3/4 Sep – Everton vs Liverpool
3/4 Sep – Man Utd vs Arsenal
10/11 Sep – Man City vs Spurs
17/18 Sep – Chelsea vs Liverpool
1/2 Oct – Arsenal vs Spurs
1/2 Oct – Man City vs Man Utd
8/9 Oct – Arsenal vs Liverpool
15/16 Oct – Liverpool vs Man City
18 Oct – Arsenal vs Man City
19 Oct – Man Utd vs Spurs
22/23 Oct – Chelsea vs Man Utd
5/6 Nov – Chelsea vs Arsenal
5/6 Nov – Spurs vs Liverpool
What will the FIFA World Cup mean for European club competitions next season?
The UEFA Champions League group stages will begin on September 6th/7th, one week earlier than they commenced last term. The group matches have been scheduled accordingly to ensure they are completed before the start of the World Cup in November. The UCL knockout rounds get underway mid-February, as usual, with the final pencilled for June 10th in Istanbul.
The Europa League and Europa Conference League group stages begin on September 8th and finish on November 3rd, while the knockout rounds start on February 16th. The Europa League final will be held on May 31st in Budapest, and the Europa Conference League final on June 7th in Prague.
As for international breaks preceding the winter World Cup, the September internationals will be moved from the beginning to the end of the month, while the October international break has been scrapped for the upcoming season.
Full Premier League fixtures: https://www.premierleague.com/news/2646764
