The fixture list release is always a highlight for football fans, with supporters eagerly scanning every detail to find key matchups, derby dates, and potential turning points in the season.
This year, however, the excitement has taken a dampening twist, as the full 2025/26 Premier League fixture list has allegedly been leaked online ahead of its official release tomorrow. While unconfirmed to be real and likely to be a fan mock-up to get some hits, the leak has already sparked speculation and debate among fans hungry for any glimpse of the season ahead.
As previously mentioned, and hyped up by myself, the opening game of the season is a huge occasion as Everton prepare to kick off a new era at their long-awaited new home. It’s a moment that demands fireworks, emotion, and, ideally, a high-profile clash to match the scale of the occasion. A new stadium deserves a grand beginning, one that sets the tone for a new chapter in the club’s rich history.
According to the early fixture leak, Everton are reportedly set to open the 2025/26 campaign at home to Crystal Palace.
While it’s true that every team faces each other twice, fans will naturally have hoped for one of the league's giants to mark such a landmark day. A team that requires a spectacle, a team that has superstars, and a team that brings worldwide attention. That said, this isn't a fixture to dismiss.
Under Oliver Glasner, Palace have developed into one of the league’s most dynamic and exciting sides, recently lifting the FA Cup and boasting a host of rising stars. It may not be Manchester United or Arsenal, but make no mistake, this fixture remains a proper test, and one that could still deliver an opening-day classic.
The weekend of 8 November is set to host a landmark occasion, the first-ever Merseyside Derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. While a cold, wet afternoon may be par for the course, Evertonians will be hoping the mood on the pitch is anything but dreary. With ambitions of mixing it in the top half of the table, fans will be eager to see the Toffees go toe-to-toe with their city rivals and make a real statement in their new home.
The reverse fixture at Anfield is scheduled for the weekend of 21 February, giving Everton a mid-season opportunity to show their growth and possibly do the double after a good result from earlier in the campaign.
While I’m getting ahead of myself and promising an important three points before a ball has been kicked, the Merseyside Derby promises passion, drama, and no shortage of storylines, as always, and this season, it carries even more historic weight.
Although the reliability of the alleged leak remains uncertain, Everton fans will still be eagerly awaiting the official fixture release at 9 AM. Regardless of rumours, the unveiling of key dates and matchups always sparks excitement, as supporters begin mapping out the season ahead and circling the games that matter most.