Champions Leicester open the 2016-17 season, while Jose Mourinho has his wish of Friday night football with Manchester United, the Premier League announced on Thursday.
Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes, who surprised all by winning the 2015-16 title, face newly promoted Hull at 12.30pm on August 13, it was revealed on Thursday when the televised fixtures were published.
Mourinho’s Manchester United host Southampton on August 19 at8pm, in the first regular Friday night fixture.
The Portuguese has long argued for the Premier League to make allowances for clubs in European competition, with Friday night football a possible answer.
However, United will be in European action on Thursday nights this season in the Europa League, so Mourinho’s Friday appearances may be rare.
📆 You can stay up to date with all the PL fixtures this season by downloading our calendar: https://t.co/RKfubf2ZGf pic.twitter.com/MUBVtAPKIU
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 7, 2016
The second Friday fixture sees Antonio Conte’s Chelsea host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16 at 8pm.
United are also in televised action on the first weekend of the season, at Bournemouth on Sunday, August 14, at 1.30pm.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will already have played by then, at home to Sunderland on August 13 at 5.30pm.
Arsenal v Liverpool at 4pm on Sunday, August 14 and Chelsea v West Ham at 8pm on Monday, August 15 complete the first round of televised matches, which will be shared between Sky Sports and BT Sport.
The first clash between Mourinho’s United and Guardiola’s City will be televised by Sky Sports at 12.30pm on Saturday, September 10.
The 12.30pm time slot is the new regular time for Saturday lunchtime fixtures. United play Leicester at the same time on September 24.
For the first time this season, Irish viewers will be able to watch games that kick off at 3pm on Saturday. There is a ban on broadcasting these games in Britain, but Sky Sports have the rights to screen them in the Republic of Ireland.
Choice fixtures in the early weeks include Everton v Tottenham on the opening weekend, Burnley v Liverpool on August 20 and Watford v Arsenal on August 27.
