Sunderland’s 2025-26 Premier League fixtures
All fixtures subject to change.
August
16: West Ham (h) – 3pm
23: Burnley (a) – 3pm
30: Brentford (h) – 3pm
September
13: Crystal Palace (a) – 3pm
20: Aston Villa (h) – 3pm
27: Nottingham Forest (a) – 3pm
October
4: Man Utd (a) – 3pm
18: Wolves (h) – 3pm
25: Chelsea (a) – 3pm
November
1: Everton (a) – 3pm
8: Arsenal (h) – 3pm
22: Fulham (a) – 3pm
29: Bournemouth (a) – 3pm
December
3: Liverpool (a) – 8pm
6: Man City (a) – 3pm
13: Newcastle (h) – 3pm
20: Brighton (a) – 3pm
27: Leeds (h) – 3pm
30: Man City (h) – 8pm
January
3: Tottenham (a) – 3pm
7: Brentford (a) – 8pm
17: Crystal Palace (h) – 3pm
24: West Ham (a) – 3pm
31: Burnley (h) – 3pm
February
7: Arsenal (a) – 3pm
11: Liverpool (h) – 8pm
21: Fulham (h) – 3pm
28: Bournemouth (a) – 3pm
March
4: Leeds (a) – 8pm
14: Brighton (h) – 3pm
21: Newcastle (a) – 3pm
April
11: Tottenham (h) – 3pm
18: Aston Villa (a) – 3pm
25: Nottingham Forest (h) – 3pm
May
2: Wolves (a) – 3pm
9: Man Utd (a) – 3pm
17: Everton (a) – 3pm
24: Chelsea (h) – 4pm
Key Takeaways
- Sunderland return to the top flight after eight years, starting at home vs West Ham on August 16.
- Week 2 away at Burnley due to stadium unavailability.
- Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle set for December 13 (home) and March 21 (away).
- Gruelling festive run includes Liverpool, Man City, Brighton, Newcastle, and Leeds.
- Final stretch features away games at Man United, Everton, and Chelsea.
Sunderland are back. And they’re not easing in.
The Black Cats’ Premier League comeback begins on August 16 at home to West Ham United, marking their first top-flight appearance since 2016. But from the outset, Sunderland’s fixture list throws them into chaos and high tension.
Week 2? Already away at Burnley, a forced change with their stadium unavailable due to a rugby event. It’s the kind of disruption that sets the tone for a season of unpredictability.
And then, the calendar delivers what fans have craved for years: the return of the Tyne-Wear Derby. Sunderland will host Newcastle on December 13, before heading to enemy territory on March 21. This marks the derby’s first Premier League appearance in eight long years—and both fixtures are expected to be emotionally electric.
But perhaps the most daunting stretch comes during the festive period. Sunderland face a murderers’ row of opponents: Liverpool, Manchester City, Brighton, Newcastle, and Leeds—all in quick succession. It’s a run that could define survival hopes or unravel ambitions.
The final months offer no relief. Away games at Manchester United, Everton, and Chelsea highlight a brutal run-in to close the campaign.
This is not a welcome parade—it’s a trial by fire. But if Sunderland can emerge intact, they’ll earn not just survival, but respect.
Closing
From long-awaited derbies to Christmas clashes with giants, Sunderland’s return to the Premier League will test every ounce of belief and resilience. Stick with Goal Drift for every twist of the Black Cats’ journey through highs, heartbreaks, and hard-fought points.
