Everton set to open 2025/26 campaign away to newly promoted side

The 2025/26 Premier League fixture list has been released and there are plenty of things to unpack, beginning with the opening weekend of the season.
Everton FC v Leeds United - Premier League
Everton FC v Leeds United - Premier League | Clive Brunskill/GettyImages

Everton now know how their matches will line up this season, although, like every Premier League campaign, the dates are subject to change due to clubs playing in other competitions throughout the year.

But one thing is certain: the first match of the year is set for all 20 top-flight clubs and each can have its eye on that opening game, set for August 18.

For Everton, it means a trip to Elland Road for a matchup with newly promoted Leeds United, who are coming off a top-of-the-table finish in the Championship last season, winning the league on goal difference, as both Leeds and Burnley ended the year with 100 points apiece.

It was Leeds' second season in the Championship after three successive seasons in the Premier League, but before that, the club hadn't been in the top flight since 2003/04. Their goal will surely be to stabilize and stay up, a run that begins with Everton's trip for the opening weekend.

Everton haven't opened against a newly promoted side since they went away to Wolves in 2018/19, and it has only happened one other time 2015/16, where the Blues began their season at home against Watford.

It will be a decent test of Everton's mettle to get things started for this year, as Leeds and its supporters will be excited by the return to the top flight and looking to begin their season with an emphatic three points.

Still, it should be a winnable match, sitting here two months out with neither side having made any signings to improve on last season's squads, and could be a nice way for Everton to kickoff the year with all three points.