Newcastle United have learned their 2026/27 schedule after the release of the Premier League fixtures for the new season, and it presents a major opportunity. The fixture list was released this morning, with the Magpies welcoming Liverpool to St James' Park on Sunday, August 23 for their season opener. The key derby dates against Sunderland were also revealed, along with the Christmas schedule and a run-in that looks, on paper, to be quite kind. However, after a disastrous 2025/26 campaign, which saw the Magpies finish 12th in the table and miss out on Europe, getting off to a good start will be crucial for Eddie Howe and his players. Here is what we learned from the fixture release.
Howe Has 10 Games to Save His Job
Howe's heart must have sunk when he saw the first two games. Liverpool at home and Tottenham Hotspur away is not the easiest start to a season. But digging deeper, the opening period is not too unkind. We all know, as does he, that Howe is under some pressure. The previous campaign was simply not good enough on the domestic front, and while there were mitigating factors, the noise around Howe from elements of the fanbase is growing louder. The pitiful performance against Fulham in the final game summed up a terrible Premier League campaign. Howe still has the backing of key men inside the Newcastle boardroom, but he knows they must get off to a good start to keep the wolves from the door. The key date appears to be the second international break, which falls between November 9 and 17. By that point, 10 rounds of the Premier League will have been completed, and the table will be taking shape. Managers, including Howe, will have had a good chunk of time to work with new players and rebuild their squads.
Newcastle's first 10 games do not actually look too bad. Excluding the first two, they only have Aston Villa at home who could be classed as one of the big boys. United will also face two promoted clubs in Hull City and Coventry, plus home games against Bournemouth and Everton, along with trips to Leeds, Crystal Palace, and Fulham. It actually represents a chance to hit the ground running. And they will need to because the games ramp up after the international break, first with champions Arsenal and then Brighton away (never a happy hunting ground) and a huge home double-header against Manchester United and Sunderland.
Victor Munoz Twist
Missing out on the signing of Victor Munoz was a killer blow for Newcastle. The Spaniard signed for Liverpool last night after they hijacked the transfer at the 11th hour. Newcastle thought they had the deal all tied up, only for the player to snub a move to St James' Park, having told the club he was happy to join and agreed personal terms. As it happens, his first game in English football will still be at St James' after Liverpool were pitted against the Magpies in the opener. Newcastle will get an immediate chance to see what they missed out on. And with Munoz likely to line up alongside Alexander Isak, the crescendo of booing may take the Gallowgate roof off.
Late Dates for the Derby
Newcastle will have to wait until the start of December to get revenge over their derby rivals Sunderland after losing twice to them last season. The Magpies will have home advantage first up, with the game slated for Saturday, December 5, though it could be moved for TV purposes to the following day. Interestingly, it does not fall after a Europa League fixture, which is good news for the Black Cats. Instead, Matchday 6 of the league phase is the midweek after the derby. Newcastle then travel to the Stadium of Light on May 1 for the return leg, the fifth last game of the season.
Christmas Bonus
The last time Newcastle were at home on Boxing Day was in 2024 against Aston Villa, and there is even more festive cheer for Toon fans this time around, although it is tempered by the fact they face the mighty Manchester City. An extra bonus is that they are at home again a few days later against Nottingham Forest. Santa has been good to United fans for a change. However, the pay-off is that the first two games of the New Year are tricky trips to Chelsea and Manchester United.
Finishing with a Flourish
Newcastle cannot complain about their run-in. They play the three promoted sides in their last six games, along with that trip to Sunderland, Palace at home, and Villa away. Let us just hope they still have something to play for at this point.
