Ipswich Town defeated Sunderland 2–1 in their opening match of the 2026–27 Premier League season. The game was played at Portman Road on Saturday 22 August 2026.
Both teams were involved in a notable promoted-club storyline. Ipswich had returned to the Premier League after a one-season absence, while Sunderland were beginning their own top-flight campaign after promotion. Ipswich took the points in a close contest rather than recording a clean-sheet win.
The result was one of two opening-weekend victories by promoted clubs. Hull City also won, beating Manchester United 2–0, while Coventry City lost 3–0 to Arsenal in the first match of the season.
The fixture is easy to confuse with Sunderland’s opening-day win from the previous campaign. In 2026–27, Sunderland started with a defeat at Ipswich, while the two clubs’ identities were reversed in many preseason comparisons.