Newcastle’s first six games of 2025/26 and two Sunderland dates

The Premier League fixture list has thrown up an intriguing opening sequence for Newcastle United as they prepare to launch their 2025/26 campaign with a stern test against Aston Villa.

Eddie Howe’s side will travel to Villa Park on Saturday, 16th August for their season opener, a match selected for broadcast on TNT Sports, setting the tone for what promises to be a demanding start to the new season.

The Magpies’ early schedule presents no shortage of challenges, with a mouthwatering home clash against Arne Slot’s Liverpool awaiting them in their first St James’ Park outing.

This high-profile encounter will give the Toon Army their first opportunity to see their team in competitive action on home soil, facing a Reds side expected to be among the title contenders.

Newcastle’s opening six fixtures include a trip to newly-promoted Leeds United, whose return to the top flight after their Championship triumph adds an extra layer of intrigue to the Yorkshire encounter.

Back-to-back home games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal complete this demanding early sequence, with a visit to Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium sandwiched in between.

These matches will provide an immediate test of Newcastle’s ambitions as they look to improve upon their previous campaign.

The fixture calendar has also served up two highly anticipated encounters with arch-rivals Sunderland, reigniting one of English football’s most passionate local derbies.

Newcastle will make the short trip to the Stadium of Light on 13th December, though this date remains subject to potential changes for television coverage. The return fixture at St James’ Park is scheduled for 21st March, offering the Magpies faithful the chance to welcome their Wearside neighbors to Tyneside in what promises to be a fiery spring showdown.

Festive Fixtures and Season Finale

The traditional festive period sees Newcastle potentially facing Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, though the match could shift to 27th December depending on broadcast selections.

As the season reaches its climax, Graham Potter’s West Ham United will visit Tyneside for Newcastle’s final home game before the Magpies conclude their campaign with a trip to Fulham’s Craven Cottage on Sunday, 24th May.

This early look at Newcastle’s schedule reveals a testing start that will demand strong performances from the outset. The opening six games feature four opponents who finished in last season’s top eight, along with a newly-promoted side hungry to prove their top-flight credentials.

These fixtures could prove crucial in setting the tone for Newcastle’s entire season as they aim to establish themselves among the Premier League’s elite.

The derby dates against Sunderland will undoubtedly be circled on calendars across the North East, representing the first top-flight meetings between the rivals in nearly a decade.

With the full fixture list confirmation pending, Newcastle’s players and supporters can already begin anticipating a season packed with high-stakes encounters and the electric atmosphere that has become synonymous with St James’ Park under Eddie Howe’s management.

As preparations for the new campaign gather pace, these early fixture revelations provide both excitement and a measure of the challenges ahead.

The Magpies will need to hit the ground running if they’re to navigate this tough opening sequence successfully and lay the foundations for a productive season.

With the added spice of local derbies and high-profile clashes throughout the campaign, the 2025/26 season promises to be another thrilling chapter in Newcastle United’s ongoing evolution.