World Cup in rear view, European leagues return next month
With the FIFA World Cup over, attention now turns to Europe, where the continent's leagues and cups are about to burst into life after a delayed, congested summer.
An expanded 48-team tournament forced fixtures back by roughly a week across the board. Players who went deep into the World Cup face different recovery timelines to those eliminated early, or who missed out altogether.
That uneven recovery picture will shape early-season squad rotation and form differently at every club. Here is the full picture: when each major competition begins, and when it ends.
Premier League
Arsenal open their title defence at home to promoted Coventry City on August 21, live on Friday Night Football. The rest of the opening weekend follows immediately after.
The season runs through to May 30, with every final-day fixture kicking off at the same time, as is now tradition.
Before a ball is kicked competitively, the Community Shield takes place on August 16. Arsenal face Manchester City at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
La Liga
Spain's top flight is among the earliest starters on the continent, kicking off on August 15 and running until May 30, 2027.
El Clasico features twice on the calendar. The first meeting is at Camp Nou on October 25, with the return fixture at the Bernabéu on May 9, in the run-in.
Bundesliga
Germany's elite division is the last of the big five leagues to start, beginning August 28 and finishing May 22, 2027.
A winter break kicks in from Matchday 14, with the league resuming on January 8 after the pause.
Bayern Munich enter as defending champions. Schalke 04 return to the top flight after three years away, while SV Elversberg arrive as newcomers.
The traditional curtain-raiser, the Supercup, pits Bayern against Borussia Dortmund on August 22.
Serie A
Italy's season begins on August 22, just a week later than usual, and concludes on May 30.
Inter Milan will be targeting a 21st league title as defending champions. A winter break interrupts the campaign, with fixtures resuming in January.
Ligue 1
France's top flight begins on the weekend of August 21. Champions Paris Saint-Germain host Rennes to open their title defence.
The season concludes on May 29, 2027, across 34 matchdays. Unusually, there are no midweek fixtures scheduled, easing the post-World Cup workload.
Champions League
The draw takes place on August 27, with the opening round of league-phase games following on September 8-10.
That phase concludes on January 27, 2027. The top eight sides earn a bye straight to the last 16, while teams ranked 9-24 fight it out in a knockout play-off round.
Paris Saint-Germain defend their title as reigning champions. The final is scheduled for June 5, 2027, at Madrid's Metropolitano stadium.