Key dates for Manchester City’s 2026/27 season

Manchester City will embark on their first season without Pep Guardiola as manager for over a decade, as incoming boss Enzo Maresca prepares to take on the role.

The Italian head coach becomes just City’s fourth manager in more than two decades following Guardiola, Manuel Pellegrini, and Roberto Mancini, and embarking on his third stay at the Etihad Stadium.

After spells within the club’s Academy system, before departing to take on a head coach role in Italian football and returning to become Guardiola’s assistant in the 2022/23 season, Enzo Maresca has now been tasked with steering the club into a new era.

Among the early challenges is the summer transfer window and how best to tackle the exits of Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Nathan Ake, and possibly more including Rodri, as well as identifying the necessary stars to bolster his playing squad.

Now, ahead of the start of the 2026/27 season, here are all of the key dates you need to know and make a note of for a big season in the history of Manchester City!

Manchester City’s pre-season and Asia tour fixtures

Enzo Maresca and his Manchester City squad are due to embark on a three-game pre-season tour of Asia this summer with matches in Hong Kong, China and Seoul, South Korea.

The first of those contests will be a meeting against Italian champions Inter on Saturday 1 August at 12:30 BST at the Kai Tak Sports Park, before turning attentions over to events in Seoul.

South Korea will welcome two City matches against K-League All Stars on Wednesday 5 August at 12:00 BST, and a clash with Atletico Madrid on Sunday 9 August at 12:00 BST – with both games taking place at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

FA Community Shield vs Arsenal details

The first competitive match of Manchester City’s 2026/27 season will see them face Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions Arsenal in the FA Community Shield on Sunday 16 August at 15:00 BST.

With Wembley Stadium unavailable for this season’s traditional curtain-raiser, Arsenal against Manchester City will take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

When does the 2026/27 Premier League season start and finish?

For Manchester City, their 2026/27 Premier League season will begin with a home game at the Etihad Stadium against Bournemouth and their new manager Marco Rose.

That opening game in the top-flight has been scheduled for Sunday 23 August with kick-off set for 14:00 BST and broadcast live on Sky Sports for those in the United Kingdom.

Manchester City’s campaign will conclude away from home as they travel to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday 30 May, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00 BST.

When is the UEFA Champions League league phase draw?

The UEFA Champions League’s league phase will be held on Thursday 27 August 2026 at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

When does the summer transfer window close?

The Premier League’s summer 2026 transfer window will formally close on Tuesday 1 September at 23:00 BST.

When will the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League fixtures be held?

Matchday 1: 8–10 September 2026Matchday 2: 13/14 October 2026Matchday 3: 20/21 October 2026Matchday 4: 3/4 November 2026Matchday 5: 24/25 November 2026Matchday 6: 8/9 December 2026Matchday 7: 19/20 January 2027Matchday 8: 27 January 2027

Knockout phase play-offs: 16/17 & 23/24 February 2027Round of 16: 9/10 & 16/17 March 2027Quarter-finals: 6/7 & 13/14 April 2027Semi-finals: 27/28 April & 4/5 May 2027Final: 5 June 2027

Key dates for the Carabao Cup and FA Cup

Carabao Cup

FA Cup

When does the January transfer window open and close?

The 2027 January transfer window will open on Friday January 1, 2027 and close on Monday February 1, 2027 at 11PM (UK).