Three big things I noticed from Sunderland's 2026/27 Premier League fixture reveal

Sunderland's Premier League fixtures for 2026/27 are out - so what have we learned?

Phil Smith takes a closer look at three big talking points...

Opening fixtures will be a step into the unknown

Both of Sunderland's August fixtures will be something of a step into the unknown for Le Bris and his players. Ipswich Town and Fulham are currently without a head coach, with the former likely to go through a significant summer turnover of players following their promotion back to the Premier League. Under Marco Silva, Fulham have been one of the most stable and consistent teams in the division but Le Bris will have just one competitive game to analyse under whoever takes charge.

The Sunderland head coach often speaks of wanting an adaptable squad capable of making their own decisions on the pitch - that will be key early doors.

Fast start could be key for Sunderland

The early-season schedule looks a little different this season as a result of changes made to the international calendar. There will be two rather than three international breaks in the opening months of the campaign, with all clubs playing five fixtures before an extended break in September. That three-week break could be a nervy time for clubs and managers who have made a slow start and find themselves in the bottom section of the table.

Though last season showed they can compete with anyone on any given day, Sunderland's September looks tough. They travel to Brentford and Manchester City with a home against Champions Arsenal in between, three fixtures they took just one point from last season. As was the case last time around, an early win in those two opening fixtures feels important for the mood on Wearside. This is a very well-run club now that is probably above overreacting to a slow start, but expectation will be raised across the board and it presents a different challenge for Le Bris and his players.

Tyne-Wear derby will have a very different dynamic this time around

Though Sunderland were the deserving winner on both derby days last season, there was no doubt they benefited from facing Newcastle United days after Eddie Howe's side had played gruelling European fixtures away from home. The playing field is level this time around for the first derby, with both teams playing a midweek league fixture (Sunderland travel to Liverpool, while Newcastle host Manchester United).

Still, the dynamic will be very different for Sunderland as that game comes in one of their most punishing runs of fixtures across the campaign. They'll play a Europa League game on the Thursday, before facing Spurs days later. They'll then play that Liverpool game, the derby and another Europa League game the following Thursday. With Newcastle not competing in Europe, they'll have an edge freshness wise and Le Bris will need to call on his own squad.

The home derby takes place on May 1st. Both teams have a free week running up to the game as it stands, unless Sunderland make it to a Europa League semi-final... What a week that would be.

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Flo Ghisolfi won't like be dissecting the fixture list...

It's going to be a tough campaign for Sunderland, but Ghisolfi said this week that he won't be setting a limit or a target for his squad - just like last season. He also made clear that he doesn't want the narrative that Sunderland have an uphill battle next season to take hold behind the scenes. Realism is healthy, but fans can be exited about the future - there's plenty of opportunities and kinder months to pick up points and Sunderland are hugely ambitious.

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