The European Championship and Copa America are now no more than memories and the football world is starting to look towards the 2021/22 season. Having seen a number of surprises across the continent last season – including a lot of changes of champions – the season to come promises to be an exciting one, particularly with fans set to return to stadiums.
But how and when do each of Europe’s top league’s start? We’ve got the answers.
LaLiga Santander
The new LaLiga Santander season kicks off on Friday, August 13, as Valencia take on Getafe, but that’s not the biggest fixture of the opening matchday.
Champions Atletico Madrid are away to Celta Vigo on Sunday afternoon, while Barcelona will face a tricky home opener against Real Sociedad. Real Madrid are on the road at Alaves and Sevilla host newcomers Rayo Vallecano.
Premier League
Much like LaLiga Santander, the Premier League gets underway on August 13, with newly promoted Brentford hosting Arsenal.
But, the most mouthwatering fixtures will be played on Saturday and Sunday. Champions Manchester City are on the road to Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, while Manchester United take on Leeds United in Saturday’s early kick off. European champions Chelsea start their season at home to Crystal Palace and Liverpool visit Norwich that same evening.
Serie A
Serie A are yet to have their opening matchday times confirmed, but the Italian calendar’s first date is set for the weekend of August 21.
Champions Inter start life under Simone Inzaghi at home to Genoa, with their respective cities also going head to head again that weekend as AC Milan host Sampdoria. Juventus and Atalanta are on the road to Udinese and Torino respectively. The biggest fixture of the opening matchday, though, will see Jose Mourinho start life as Roma boss at home to Fiorentina, themselves with a new coach in Vincenzo Italiano.
Bundesliga
Champions Bayern Munich kick the German season off on Friday, August 13 away to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Elsewhere that weekend, Borussia Dortmund host Eintracht Frankfurt in arguably the tie of the matchday. Other Champions League sides are in action as Wolfsburg host Bochum on the Saturday and RB Leipzig play at Mainz on the Sunday.
Ligue 1
French football returns earlier than any other of Europe’s top leagues, with Rennes and Lens kicking things off for 2021/22 on Sunday, August 8.
Paris Saint-Germain take on Troyes, Marseille are away to Montpellier, Nice face Reims, Lille are at Metz and Lyon meet Brest.
