Newcastle United's dream Premier League fixture list with perfect Sunderland date. The Premier League fixtures are released on Friday with United hoping for a positive start to the 2026-27 campaign.
Stuart Jamieson Football Content Editor
17:00, 18 Jun 2026
The 2026-27 Premier League fixtures will be revealed on Friday morning as Newcastle United find out how their schedule will look for the coming 10 months.
There are always plenty of people who are quick to point out that everyone plays everyone else home and away over the course of the season, but anyone who thinks it doesn't matter how the first games fall is ignoring reality.
While nothing is won in September, getting off to a positive start can make a huge difference to a season, and the reverse is also true. Recovering from a bad opening month can sour a whole campaign, or worse, drag a side into a relegation battle.
For Eddie Howe, the opening months are particularly significant. The Newcastle head coach has been backed by the club's owners to get United back on track after a poor end to last season, but questions over his future will quickly reappear should the Magpies struggle again in the early weeks.
Howe will be the first to say that there are no easy games in the Premier League, but avoiding difficult trips to the Emirates, Etihad, and Anfield is always preferable.
With that in mind, here's our take on what the ideal opening five fixtures would look for Newcastle, to give them an excellent chance of heading into the first international break in a strong position.
Matchday One: August 22 – Hull City (H)
Everyone wants a home game first up, and a match against a newly-promoted side ticks the boxes. Yes, Hull City will be pumped up for their first Premier League game since 2017, but Newcastle must be confident of beating the promoted sides if they have Champions League ambitions. Hull are potentially a safer bet than Ipswich or Coventry City, but United wouldn't turn their noses up at any of the sides returning to the top-flight.
Matchday Two: August 29 – Nottingham Forest (A)
If the first game is at home then inevitably the second will be on the road, and this is where it gets trickier. You want to avoid a top side, and perhaps this is when a newly-promoted team isn't the best idea, with a first Premier League game in front of their own fans always a lively affair. Forest struggled last season and Newcastle have a good record at the City Ground, so this feels like the ideal fixture to get a positive result on the road – especially if they lose Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Matchday Three: September 5 – Crystal Palace (H)
Back to St James' and the first of two games in a row against sides with new head coaches. There could be many sides that fit the bill for this St James' clash, where Newcastle are always confident of collecting three points, but two games in, any new manager bounce may well have dissipated. New Eagles boss Pierre Sage will have his work cut out to match Oliver Glasner's achievements, and United can cash in here.
Matchday Four: September 12 – Fulham (A)
Forget the final day of last season, Newcastle usually enjoy playing Fulham, who are still searching for their new head coach. Whoever gets the task of replacing Marco Silva will already have had their first home game by this stage. If United are in form, they could relish an early trip to the capital.
Matchday Five: September 19 – Sunderland (H)
Which brings us to the big one. Both of Newcastle's derby games came after Champions League fixtures last season, and while that cannot be used as an excuse for sub-par performances from United, the shoe is on the other foot this time around.
Questions have been raised on how the Black Cats will cope with a European schedule, and with the first Europa League games taking place on September 16-17, United will love the chance to face their arch-rivals on the following weekend, especially on home soil. Revenge will be in the air, but Newcastle will have to play considerably better than they did last term.
Who do you want Newcastle United to face in the first game? Let us know in the comments below.
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