Irish Premiership: Champions Linfield begin at home to the Swifts
Sports Direct Irish Premiership champions Linfield will start the defence of their title at home to Dungannon Swifts.
The fixtures for the new season have been released today, with Linfield and the Swifts renewing rivalries after next month's NIFL Charity Shield meeting.
The fixture list provides a preliminary schedule for all clubs as all fixtures are currently subject to change due to broadcast selection and clubs’ participation in European Club Competitions.
Newly promoted Bangor return to the top-division for the first time since 2009 and their reward is a homecoming clash at Clandeboye Park against Jim Magilton’s Cliftonville.
One of the standout fixtures of the opening weekend will be at the Coleraine Showgrounds, as Ruaidhrà Higgins’ new-look Coleraine welcome last season’s runners-up Larne.
At Shamrock Park, old rivalries are renewed as Portadown host Glentoran, and across Mid-Ulster, Glenavon take on Ballymena United at Mourneview Park, while Stephen Baxter takes his Carrick Rangers side back to his old stomping ground at Crusaders.
For the full list of fixtures, go to https://www.nifootballleague.com/media/18580/sports-direct-premiership-fixtures-2025-26.pdf
Fixtures for the Playr-Fit Championship will be announced tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10am, with fixtures for the Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League announced on Wednesday at 10am.
Sports Direct Premiership Fixtures - Opening day
Saturday August 9th 2025
Bangor v Cliftonville
Coleraine v Larne
Crusaders v Carrick Rangers
Glenavon v Ballymena United
Linfield v Dungannon Swifts
Portadown v Glentoran