The countdown is over. The stadiums are ready. The stars are set. The 2025/26 football season kicks off this weekend, and SuperSport is your front-row seat to every goal, every derby, and every title chase.
From the thunderous Premier League to the flair of LaLiga and the tactical battles of Serie A – It’s On, and it’s only on DStv and GOtv.
Season Launch & Opening Weekend Drama
- ·The 2025/26 Premier League campaign kicks off on the weekend of 15 August. All eyes will be on Anfield on Friday night, where Liverpool begin their title defence against Bournemouth. The action ramps up on ‘Super Sunday’ as Manchester United host Arsenal – a huge early test for United manager Ruben Amorim and a statement opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side. The season will conclude on Sunday, 24 May 2026, with all games kicking off simultaneously, likely setting the stage for dramatic final-day outcomes in the title, European qualification, and relegation battles.
- ·La Liga 2025/26 kicks off the weekend of 17 August 2025 and runs through to 24 May 2026. Barcelona begin with a tricky away trip to Mallorca at Son Moix, part of their first three fixtures on the road while Camp Nou undergoes renovation work. Atlético Madrid visit Espanyol on 17 August, while Real Madrid face Osasuna at home likely on 18 August. The season wraps up in late May, with competitive tension high as final matchday results could determine champions, European qualification and relegation.
- ·The Serie A’s 2025/26 season kicks off on the weekend of Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August 2025 and will span through to Sunday, 24 May 2026. The curtain-raiser sees Inter Milan face Torino immediately under pressure, while AC Milan begin at home against Cremonese and defending champions Napoli travel to Sassuolo – top clubs all starting on the road or with tricky fixtures to set early narratives. The Partenopei, as Scudetto holders, will come under particular scrutiny, but manager Antonio Conte will be hungry to start strongly in their quest for back-to-back championship triumphs.
Big Derbies & Top-of-the-Table Showdowns
Premier League
·The Premier League’s fiercest rivalries return with added intensity this season. The Manchester Derby kicks off early with the first clash between City and United slated for 13 September, and the reverse fixture set for January.
·The North London Derby sees Arsenal and Tottenham lock horns on 22 November and 21 February.
·Meanwhile, the Merseyside Derby will be contested on 20 September (Anfield) and 18 April (the new Hill Dickinson Stadium), matches that could carry heavy implications for both ends of the table.
·One of the season’s most anticipated returns is the Tyne–Wear Derby, as Newcastle and Sunderland meet again in the topflight for the first time in a decade. That clash promises full-blooded football and an electric atmosphere.
La Liga
·The two El Clásico showdowns are must-sees: Real Madrid host Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu on Matchday 10, the weekend of 26 October, while the return match at Camp Nou arrives on Matchday 35, the weekend of 10 May.
·The Madrid Derby opens at Atlético’s Metropolitano on 28 September (MD7) and returns to the Bernabéu on 22 March (MD29).
·Other derbies include the Seville derby on 30 November (MD14) and again on 1 March (MD26)
·The Basque derby on 2 November (MD11) and 1 February (MD22)
·The Barcelona vs Espanyol derby on 4 January (MD18) and again on 12 April (MD31)
·The Valencia derby in late November and mid-February.
Serie A
- ·The famed Derby d’Italia (Juventus vs Inter) opens early on Matchday 3 around 14 September 2025, with the return in mid-February 2026 (Matchday 25).
- ·The Derby della Capitale (Roma vs Lazio) arrives on Matchday 4 (19–21 September), with the rematch on Matchday 37 (17 May 2026).
- ·The Milan Derby (Inter vs AC Milan) is set for Matchday 12 (21–23 November 2025) and returns on Matchday 28 (March 2026) with fixture rules ensuring alternating home/away balance where possible.
- ·Key title-deciding matchups include Napoli vs Inter (Matchday 8: October, return on Matchday 20: March) and the “Derby del Sole” between Napoli and Roma (Matchday 13: November, return Matchday 25: mid-February.
- Beyond the derbies, clashes between title challengers will shape the top of the table
Premier League
- ·Arsenal vs Manchester City (September and April), Liverpool vs Arsenal (August, January, and spring), and Man City vs Liverpool (November and February) are fixtures that could decide the title in razor-thin margins.
Role of Mid-Season International Breaks, AFCON, Spanish Supercopa & No Winter Rest
Premier League
This season includes three standard FIFA international breaks in October (6–15), November (10–18), and March (23–31) – windows that will pause domestic action but demand intelligent squad rotation to maintain momentum. However, the biggest disruption will come from the Africa Cup of Nations, running from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
AFCON’s timing could have a tangible impact on several title contenders. Liverpool may suffer if Mohamed Salah and other African stars depart for a month of international duty. The festive period is typically high-intensity in the Premier League, and any absences here could create opportunities – or times of crisis – for teams in the thick of the title race or relegation dogfight. Squad depth and strategic player management will be critical through this congested stretch.
La Liga
There are five FIFA international breaks in the season: 1–9 September 6–14 October, 10–18 November, 23–31 March 2026, and 1–9 June 2026. La Liga also schedules a Christmas break from 21 December, resuming on the weekend of 4 January. Notably, the Spanish Supercopa takes place in Saudi Arabia from 7–11 January 2026, featuring semifinal derbies including Madrid and Catalan showdowns. Clubs must balance these breaks with European commitments and squad rotation strategies to maintain momentum.
Serie A
There are four FIFA international breaks interrupting the campaign: 7 September, 12 October, 16 November 2025, and 29 March 2026. Notably, Serie A will not observe a traditional winter break, due to the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America. Instead, full league schedules are planned across 21 and 28 December, and 3 January 2026, with a midweek round held on 6 January. Clubs must manage fitness and form during this congested phase without the normal seasonal pause.
Crowding at Both Ends: Relegation, Europe & Title Shoot-outs
Premier League
A record nine Premier League clubs are involved in European competitions this season, further stretching squads already facing a demanding 38-game schedule. Clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Chelsea will need to carefully balance their continental ambitions with domestic consistency. The volume of matches may prove costly, especially if injuries mount or squad depth proves insufficient.
At the other end, the relegation fight is expected to be brutal. Brentford, under new manager Keith Andrews, enter the season amidst uncertainty after key player exits and an unproven tactical approach. Other likely strugglers include the newly promoted clubs – Sunderland, Leicester, and Southampton – although all three have strengthened impressively.
As always, the final few months will likely see a three-pronged race unfold: one for the title, one for European qualification, and one to avoid the drop. With big games peppered throughout April and May – including a potentially decisive Arsenal vs Man City clash in mid-April – the 2025/26 season promises drama right until the final whistle.
La Liga
A packed European schedule adds complexity, with multiple Spanish clubs competing across Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, pushing demands on squad depth. Title and top four races will hinge on performance across these fronts. The title race will hinge on key showdown results – particularly both Clásicos – as Barca look to defend after winning the previous season, with Real Madrid under new coach Xabi Alonso adding intrigue.
At the bottom, newly promoted sides Real Oviedo, Levante and Elche must navigate their return, Levante and Oviedo both open with tricky assignments. Meanwhile, established clubs will battle for survival across the entire calendar. As always, the title, top four and survival contests are likely to be decided in the final few matchdays – making both Matchday 35 (Clásico at Camp Nou) and Matchday 38 critical in defining outcomes across the table.
Serie A
With multiple Serie A clubs competing in Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, fixture congestion will test squad depth. Against that backdrop, defending champions Napoli, together with Inter, AC Milan, Juventus, and Atalanta, are expected to feature heavily both domestically and continentally.
Relegation battles will involve newly promoted sides Sassuolo, Pisa, and Cremonese, all seeking to establish themselves amid tough competition. Established clubs like Genoa and Torino may also find themselves in trouble if form dips. Survival will likely go down to the wire given no winter break and holiday matchdays adding pressure.
Meanwhile, the closing stages of the season around Matchdays 35–38 (April–May) – with fixtures like Juventus vs Torino (Matchday 38), Napoli vs Udinese, and AC Milan vs Cagliari – could determine the Scudetto, European spots, and relegation verdicts, making the run-in particularly compelling.
This Season, Every Match Matters
From the first whistle to the final roar, the 2025/26 season promises unforgettable moments. The passion, the rivalries, the glory – It’s On, and it’s only on SuperSport.
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