Arsenal, the defending champion, opened the 2026–27 Premier League season against Coventry City.
The fixture was played at the Emirates Stadium on Friday 21 August 2026. Arsenal entered the campaign as the previous season’s champions, while Coventry entered as one of the three promoted clubs.
Arsenal won the opening match 3–0. Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard were credited with the goals in a result that gave the champions an immediate positive start to their title defence.
The 2026–27 season was Arsenal’s first campaign as reigning champions after their title success in 2025–26. The other promoted clubs were Ipswich Town and Hull City, both of whom also won their opening matches.