Chelsea’s 2025/26 Premier League Fixtures: Time for the Next Step Under Maresca?

Added at: 18.06.25 12:24

After a season of stabilization and success under Enzo Maresca — including a top-four finish and a UEFA Europa Conference League triumph — Chelsea enter the 2025/26 campaign with quiet optimism and one burning question: can they mount a serious title challenge?

The Blues showed clear signs of identity last season, finally emerging from a turbulent rebuilding phase. With Champions League football returning to Stamford Bridge and a squad that now looks both balanced and competitive, Chelsea’s new fixture list will reveal early whether they are contenders or still pretenders.

Promising Start and October Heat

Chelsea open the campaign with a trio of favourable fixtures: Crystal Palace (17 August), a trip to West Ham, and a derby against Fulham. From there, things escalate quickly. The Blues face rivals Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on 4 October, just two weeks after an away trip to Manchester United and a test against Brighton.

The autumn period brings a mixture of home comforts and crucial away days — most notably, a visit to Tottenham on 1 November and a home clash with Arsenal on 29 November. That stretch will give a strong indication of whether Maresca’s side are ready to keep pace with the very best.

Festive Period and High-Stakes Spring

During the festive run, Chelsea host Bournemouth and Aston Villa before travelling to the Etihad to face Manchester City on 3 January. The match at Fulham on 7 January adds another layer to the capital-heavy schedule, followed by a January that includes Brentford, Crystal Palace and West Ham.

Things become more intense in spring. A brutal stretch sees Chelsea host both Manchester City (11 April) and Manchester United (18 April) within a week. Trips to Brighton and Liverpool follow in late April and early May — games that could prove decisive in the race for silverware or top-four security.

Run-In and Season Finale

The final three matches of the campaign could prove significant depending on how the table shapes up. Chelsea host Tottenham on 17 May, visit Anfield to take on Liverpool a week earlier, and round off the season with an away fixture at Sunderland on 24 May. Whether chasing silverware, pushing for a top-four finish, or consolidating their standing, the Blues may find these games carry weight at a crucial juncture.

Full Premier League schedule available here.