With the start of the 2025/26 season fast approaching, we're taking a look at what's new in the Premier League. Here we focus on two new fixtures for the competition.
Sunderland's return to the top flight for the first time since the 2016/17 season means they will play two teams they have never faced in the Premier League before, in Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Saturday 30 August - Sunderland v Brentford
Brentford will travel to the Stadium of Light for their first meeting with Sunderland since February 2018. On that day, in the Championship, the Bees won 2-0.
The reverse fixture at the Gtech Community Stadium is set to be played on Wednesday 7 January 2026*.
Saturday 20 December* - Brighton v Sunderland
Sunderland will travel to the south coast to take on Brighton in their final match before Christmas Day. It will be the first time the two clubs have faced each other in 14 years.
Their last meeting took place at the Amex Stadium at the start of the 2011/12 season, in the EFL Cup, with Sunderland losing 1-0.
The two sides will then meet at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Saturday 14 March*.
*Match dates are subject to change, for reasons including live TV coverage in the UK.
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