Nottingham Forest Premier League Fixtures 2026-27: Full Schedule and Key Dates

Stability, steady progress and a clearer football identity will be the main objectives at the City Ground during the 2026-27 Premier League season. After a turbulent campaign featuring several managerial changes, Nottingham Forest are preparing for another demanding year in England’s top flight.

The 2025-26 season was difficult domestically, with Forest eventually finishing 16th in the Premier League. However, their European campaign gave supporters several memorable nights. The Reds reached the UEFA Europa League semi-finals and won the first leg against Aston Villa before suffering a 4-0 second-leg defeat at Villa Park, losing the tie 4-1 on aggregate.

Vítor Pereira helped guide the club away from immediate relegation danger during the second half of the season, but Forest made another managerial change during the summer. Oliver Glasner was appointed head coach in July 2026 and will now be responsible for leading the club into the new campaign.

Glasner inherits a squad with Premier League experience, attacking ability and the potential to become more consistent. His first challenge will be creating a settled system after a period of regular change behind the scenes.

The Premier League has officially released the Nottingham Forest fixtures for 2026-27. Forest begin at home against Leeds United on August 22, 2026, before travelling to Anfield to face Liverpool. Their final league match will take place away against Coventry City on May 30, 2027.

Nottingham Forest’s Complete 2026-27 Schedule

The table below contains the full Nottingham Forest Premier League schedule, including opponents, venues and provisional kickoff times.

Kickoff time note: Times have been converted from UK time to Gulf Standard Time. Weekend fixtures are generally listed at their original provisional times, except where early broadcast changes have already been announced. Dates and kickoff times may change because of television selection, domestic cup participation or other scheduling requirements.

Key Dates in Forest’s 2026-27 Season

The fixture list gives Forest a mixed opening, several difficult mid-season runs and a demanding group of matches during the final weeks.

Glasner will need his team to collect points against direct competitors while remaining competitive against clubs expected to challenge near the top of the table.

A Home Opener Against Leeds United

Forest begin their season at the City Ground on August 22 against Leeds United. A home opener gives the team an early opportunity to create momentum and build a positive connection between Glasner, the players and the supporters.

Opening-day matches can be unpredictable. Players are still rebuilding match fitness, new signings may be adapting and managers are often testing their preferred systems. Forest must therefore approach the game with control rather than allowing the emotion of the occasion to dictate their performance.

The Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds United match preview will provide team news, form information, head-to-head statistics and match updates closer to kickoff.

An Early Visit to Anfield

Forest’s first away match is one of the hardest fixtures on the calendar. They travel to Anfield on August 29 to face Liverpool in a match already selected for an early television kickoff.

Playing Liverpool away will test Forest’s ability to defend under pressure, remain organised without possession and take advantage of counterattacking opportunities. Glasner’s teams have often relied on structured defensive positioning and quick transitions, making this an important early test of how quickly the squad understands his methods.

Supporters can follow the Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest fixture guide for match information and live coverage.

Tottenham and Aston Villa Complete a Tough Opening

Forest return home to face Tottenham Hotspur on September 5. The match will offer another early measure of the team’s progress, particularly in midfield and defensive transition.

The Nottingham Forest vs. Tottenham Hotspur match centre will cover the buildup, lineups and key statistics.

One week later, Forest travel to Villa Park. Their Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest fixture carries additional interest following the clubs’ Europa League semi-final meeting.

Forest won the first leg of that European tie at the City Ground, but Villa produced a strong response in the return match. Although a new Premier League season brings a different setting, that recent history should add extra intensity to the occasion.

Important City Ground Fixtures

Home form could determine whether Forest spend the season looking upward or become involved in another fight near the bottom of the table.

After Leeds and Tottenham, Forest welcome Coventry City on September 19. This match may offer a valuable opportunity to collect points before a demanding October and November schedule.

The Nottingham Forest vs. Coventry City match hub will feature match information, head-to-head records and updates.

Forest then host Arsenal on October 17. The Gunners will arrive as one of the strongest teams in the division, meaning Forest may need to remain patient, protect central areas and make the most of set pieces.

Visit the Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal fixture hub for detailed coverage.

Manchester City visit the City Ground on November 7, followed by Chelsea on November 28. These matches will test Forest’s ability to compete against teams with deep squads and strong attacking options.

The atmosphere at the City Ground can make these occasions uncomfortable for visiting teams. Forest will need to combine that energy with discipline, especially when defending around their own penalty area.

Away Matches That Could Shape the Season

Forest’s away schedule contains difficult trips to Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal. However, matches against teams closer to Forest’s expected league position could carry even greater importance.

The October trip to Selhurst Park is one example. Crystal Palace are usually organised and difficult to break down at home, so the Crystal Palace vs. Nottingham Forest preview could become an important tactical contest.

Forest then travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town on October 24. Matches against recently established or promoted teams often become direct battles for points, particularly when the league table begins taking shape.

The Ipswich Town vs. Nottingham Forest match centre will provide the latest match details.

Away fixtures against Brentford, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Everton could also influence Forest’s final position. Collecting points consistently in these matches will be vital if the club wants to move away from the lower part of the table.

A Demanding Festive Schedule

The Christmas and New Year period could be one of the most important stages of Forest’s campaign.

Forest host Everton on December 19 before travelling to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Boxing Day. Four days later, they visit Newcastle United for a midweek match at St James’ Park.

They then begin 2027 at home against Fulham before hosting Hull City in another midweek fixture.

That gives Forest four league matches in a relatively short period. Squad depth, recovery and injury management will become especially important. Glasner may need to rotate carefully without making so many changes that the team loses its rhythm.

The Premier League has designed the festive calendar to provide clubs with at least 60 hours between match rounds. However, the combination of travel, physical games and limited preparation time will still challenge every squad.

Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United

Forest face a difficult sequence during January and February.

They travel to Manchester City on January 16, host Bournemouth one week later and then visit Chelsea on January 30. After a home meeting with Brentford and an away game at Fulham, Manchester United visit the City Ground on February 20.

These fixtures will require tactical flexibility. Forest may have less possession against City and Chelsea but will be expected to take greater control against Bournemouth, Brentford and Fulham.

The ability to switch between different match plans could become one of the clearest measures of Glasner’s impact. Forest cannot rely on only one style throughout a 38-game season.

Forest’s Final Premier League Run-In

The closing weeks contain a mixture of difficult matches and realistic opportunities to earn points.

Forest begin April with an away game against Leeds United before hosting Liverpool on April 17. Sunderland then visit the City Ground on April 24.

May starts with an away trip to Brighton, followed by a home game against Crystal Palace. Forest then travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on May 15.

Their final home fixture is against Ipswich Town on May 23. If Forest are involved in a relegation battle or competing for a higher league position, this could become one of the most important matches of the season.

The campaign concludes away against Coventry City on May 30. Every Premier League match on the final day is scheduled to begin at the same time, creating the possibility of a dramatic finish across the division.

Nottingham Forest Match Guides

Balls FC will provide dedicated fixture pages containing live information, team news, statistics and match coverage throughout the season.

• Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds United Match Preview

• Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest Fixture Guide

• Nottingham Forest vs. Tottenham Hotspur Match Analysis

• Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest Match Centre

• Nottingham Forest vs. Coventry City Tactical Hub

• Crystal Palace vs. Nottingham Forest Match Preview

• Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal Fixture Hub

• Ipswich Town vs. Nottingham Forest Match Centre

What Forest Need From the New Season

The main requirement is consistency. Forest showed during their European campaign that they can perform in high-pressure matches, but their domestic results were not reliable enough.

Glasner must improve the team’s defensive organisation while maintaining enough attacking threat to win close games. Home performances will be especially important, but Forest also need to become more productive away from the City Ground.

The absence of European football should give the coaching staff more time to prepare for league matches. It may also reduce the need for heavy squad rotation during the busiest parts of the season.

Forest’s 2026-27 fixture list is challenging, but it also contains periods in which the team can build momentum. Strong results against Leeds, Coventry, Ipswich, Bournemouth, Brentford and Sunderland could give Forest the platform needed to approach bigger fixtures with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Nottingham Forest’s 2026-27 season begin?

Nottingham Forest begin their Premier League season at home against Leeds United on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

Who do Nottingham Forest play in their final match?

Forest’s final league match is away against Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Sunday, May 30, 2027.

When do Forest play Liverpool?

Forest visit Liverpool on August 29, 2026. The return fixture at the City Ground is scheduled for April 17, 2027.

When do Forest play Manchester United?

Forest travel to Old Trafford on December 26, 2026. Manchester United visit the City Ground on February 20, 2027.

Can Nottingham Forest’s fixtures change?

Yes. Premier League dates and kickoff times can change because of television selection, cup participation, weather, policing requirements and other scheduling considerations. Supporters should check the latest match information before travelling.

Final Thoughts

The Nottingham Forest Premier League fixtures for 2026-27 provide Oliver Glasner with an immediate challenge. Forest start at home against Leeds but quickly face Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa during the opening weeks.

The festive schedule includes difficult trips to Manchester United and Newcastle, while the final run features Liverpool, Arsenal and a last-day visit to Coventry City.

After a season of managerial disruption, supporters will hope the club can finally establish continuity. Forest have enough quality to compete, but their final position will depend on defensive improvement, better away results and consistent performances against direct rivals.

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