When Leeds United can expect Premier League fixture changes with five-week aim 'short notice' likelihood
A number of Leeds United's Premier League fixtures will likely change for TV selection.
Leeds United learned of their 2026/27 Premier League fixture schedule on Friday - but almost all dates are all subject to change.
Daniel Farke’s side kick things off with a trip to Nottingham Forest which has already been confirmed as a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, August 22. The City Ground clash was not picked for opening-weekend broadcast by either Sky Sports or TNT Sports.
Those selections have been confirmed already but 36 of the 37 gameweeks that follow are all subject to change. The only round set in stone is the final weekend in which Leeds go to Crystal Palace on Sunday, May 30.
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Fixtures have been assigned to weekend or midweek slots, with Leeds currently scheduled to play on a Wednesday five times. All other games are automatically given the traditional 3pm slot - but it’s unlikely to stay that way.
Premier League fixtures are rearranged for multiple reasons, the most notable being TV selections. Sky Sports can move games to a Friday or Monday night and across their Super Sunday programme, while TNT have the rights to Saturday lunchtime games.
Saturday 3pm kick-offs are becoming less common in the Premier League, with Leeds playing just 10 of last season’s 38 games in the traditional slot. That is partly due to the increasing power of broadcasters but another factor is becoming increasingly important.
Teams competing in Europe on a Thursday will automatically have their weekend fixture pushed back to the Sunday or Monday, allowing for a proper rest period between games. In the 2026/27 campaign, four such clubs will be playing in the Europa League or Conference League.
When will Leeds United’s fixtures be moved?
The Premier League have regularly stated ambition to give fans plenty of warning regarding fixture changes, but their ability to adhere to those ambitions has been mixed. Last season, they announced estimated dates in which chunks of fixture changes would be confirmed.
Fixture changes running through August and September were due to be confirmed on July 9 but only the first month’s were released that day, with September changes arriving on July 23. Amendments for October, February, March, April and May were on time, but Christmas and Boxing Day fixtures were rearranged two weeks after the planned October 15 date.
Below is a list of when each month’s fixture changes are expected to be confirmed for the 2026/27 season:
August/September fixture changes: Week commencing July 13
October fixture changes: Week commencing August 24
November fixture changes: Week commencing September 21
December/January fixture changes: Week commencing October 19
January fixture changes: Week commencing November 30
February fixture changes: Week commencing December 21
March fixture changes: Week commencing January 18
April fixture changes: Week commencing February 22
Late April/early May fixture changes: Week commencing March 29
Gameweek 35 fixture changes: Week commencing March 29
Gameweek 36 fixture changes: Week commencing April 5
Gameweek 37 fixture changes: Post-FA Cup semi-finals
Alterations as a result of progression in Europe often can come later - sometimes affecting clubs not competing on the continent. Leeds fell victim in January when a March meeting with Brentford was moved to 8pm on a Saturday.
But upon announcing this change, the Premier League explained how it could become a 12.30pm or 5.30pm kick-off based on the possible participation of other Premier League clubs in European competition and the EFL Cup. It was properly confirmed as an 8pm kick-off by February 9.
When the YEP asked the Premier League about it, we were directed to a statement released last June. It read: "The Premier League understands the need to confirm fixture date and times as early as possible. Our fixture announcements will continue to provide around six weeks’ notice ahead of fixtures prior to January, and five weeks thereafter.
"There is an increased likelihood of Premier League fixtures moving at relatively short notice, after our fixture announcements, should our clubs progress to the knockout rounds of these [European] competitions. Supporters are asked to consider this when planning for Premier League fixtures, particularly when their club or opposition is playing in the latter stages of UEFA competitions."