The 2026/27 Premier League season kicks off on Saturday 22 August with a compelling fixture at City Ground, where Nottingham Forest host Leeds United in what promises to be a fascinating clash of ambitions and new beginnings.

Match details

Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00pm BST, with fans in the United States able to watch on Peacock (10:00am ET) and Australian supporters catching the action on Stan Sport from midnight AEST on Sunday morning.

Glasner's Forest era begins

Oliver Glasner takes charge of his first competitive match as Nottingham Forest manager, having been appointed last month following a highly successful two-year stint at Crystal Palace. He inherits a squad that narrowly avoided relegation last season and has since sold key midfielder Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for £116 million.

Forest's most notable addition this summer is Ivory Coast centre-back Ousmane Diomande, signed for £34.5 million. Perhaps equally significant, however, is their success in retaining playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White, who netted 15 Premier League goals in 2025/26. The 26-year-old was left out of England's World Cup squad and may carry extra motivation to perform on the season's opening day.

Leeds arrive with quiet confidence

Daniel Farke's Leeds United travel to Nottingham looking to build on a 14th-place finish last season, bolstered by a busy and promising transfer window. England goalkeeper James Trafford has joined from Manchester City for £40 million, while Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic has arrived for £34 million.

The Whites have also secured what look like shrewd pieces of business: Borussia Monchengladbach's Nico Elvedi for £8.5 million and Fulham's Harry Wilson on a free transfer. All four new arrivals could feature on debut at City Ground, though left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson and winger Willy Gnonto are both ruled out through injury.

Leeds won just twice away from home in the league last season, and Farke will be determined to improve that record from the very first opportunity — backed, as ever, by a passionate travelling support.

Prediction

This fixture has the feel of a hard-fought stalemate, with Leeds capable of causing real problems for a Forest side still finding its footing under a new manager. Nottingham Forest 1-1 Leeds United.