Ipswich Town played Sunderland in the 2026–27 Premier League opening round after returning to the top flight.
Ipswich hosted Sunderland on Saturday 22 August 2026 in one of the three matches scheduled for 15:00. It was Ipswich’s first Premier League fixture after an absence of one year.
The season’s promoted clubs were Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City. Coventry had been away for 25 years, Ipswich for one year and Hull City for nine years, giving each return a different historical background.
Ipswich’s opening opponent, Sunderland, were also part of the 20-team Premier League lineup. The match was distinct from the other two opening fixtures involving promoted clubs: Coventry visited Arsenal, while Hull City hosted Manchester United.