Matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Premier League season runs from Friday 28 August through Monday 31 August, with Crystal Palace hosting champions-elect Manchester City to get things underway. Here is the full schedule, kickoff times and what Nigerian fans should watch for.
Friday 28 August
Crystal Palace welcome Manchester City to Selhurst Park at 20:00, live on Sky Sports. Palace have made life difficult for the top sides before, and a well-organised backline at home could make this an early test for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Saturday 29 August
Saturday brings a four-match card. Liverpool host Nottingham Forest at 12:30 on TNT Sports, a fixture that gives Forest an early chance to show whether last season’s progress under their coaching setup can continue against a title contender. AFC Bournemouth take on Everton, while newly promoted Coventry City face fellow promoted side Hull City in a fixture that matters a great deal for both clubs’ survival hopes. Tottenham Hotspur close the day hosting Newcastle United at 17:30 on Sky Sports.
Sunday 30 August
Chelsea host Brighton & Hove Albion at 14:00, a match moved to accommodate Brighton’s Thursday night UEFA Conference League playoff commitment. Leeds United face Brentford, also at 14:00, and Sunderland host Fulham at the same time, that fixture rescheduled after Fulham’s clash with Chelsea moved to the Monday before. Manchester United round out the day at 16:30 against Ipswich Town.
Monday 31 August
The round closes with Aston Villa hosting Arsenal at 20:00 on Sky Sports, a fixture that falls on transfer deadline day itself. As a result, expect any late-window business from either club to dominate the build-up as much as the match itself.
What to Watch For
Because the summer transfer window closes on 31 August, several of these fixtures carry extra intrigue. In fact, squads named for matchday 3 could look noticeably different from the sides that started the season just a week earlier, particularly for clubs still chasing late additions.
When is Premier League matchday 3 in 2026/27?
Matchday 3 runs from Friday 28 August to Monday 31 August 2026.
What time does Crystal Palace vs Manchester City kick off?
Crystal Palace host Manchester City at Selhurst Park at 20:00 UK time on Friday 28 August, live on Sky Sports.
When do Coventry City and Hull City play each other?
The two newly promoted sides meet on Saturday 29 August as part of the matchday 3 schedule.
Why did some matchday 3 fixtures move kickoff times?
Chelsea vs Brighton and Sunderland vs Fulham were both adjusted to accommodate European competition commitments and the earlier rescheduling of Fulham vs Chelsea to Monday 24 August.
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