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Enzo Maresca and Frank Lampard are both set to return to Stamford Bridge this season, as new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso prepares to begin his reign with a local clash against Fulham.

The Blues are desperate to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing end to the previous campaign. Liam Rosenior, who had been appointed in January to replace Enzo Maresca, was dismissed following a poor run that saw Chelsea lose eight of their last eleven matches, slipping to a 10th-place finish. Former Under-21s coach Callum McFarlane once again stepped in to oversee the closing stages of the season.

Chelsea have now appointed former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss Alonso, whose first competitive match will be a Monday night west London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage on August 24.

Alonso faces his first major challenge in early September, when Chelsea travel to face reigning champions Arsenal. The opening run of fixtures is a mixed one for the Blues, who also host Brighton and newly-promoted Hull City in their first five games, alongside another local derby away at Brentford.

In December, Alonso will meet his former club Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, before heading to Anfield for the return fixture at the beginning of May.

Former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, now expected to take charge of Manchester City following Pep Guardiola’s departure, will make his return to west London in April, with Chelsea visiting the Etihad Stadium just before Christmas.

Fierce derbies against Tottenham Hotspur are scheduled for October and May, while Frank Lampard will return to Stamford Bridge in March as manager of Championship winners Coventry City. The Blues will travel to Coventry on Boxing Day.

During the festive period, Chelsea will also face another promoted side, Ipswich Town. Their first fixture of 2027 is a home game against Newcastle United, while the campaign concludes with a home tie against Brentford at Stamford Bridge.

Key Fixtures:

24/08/2026 - Fulham (a)

29/08/2026 - Brighton and Hove Albion (h)

05/09/2026 - Arsenal (a)

12/09/2026 - Hull City (h)

19/09/2026 - Brentford (a)

10/10/2026 - Bournemouth (h)

17/10/2026 - Everton (a)

24/10/2026 - Tottenham Hotspur (h)

31/10/2026 - Manchester United (h)

07/11/2026 - Sunderland (a)

21/11/2026 - Leeds United (h)

28/11/2026 - Nottingham Forest (a)

02/12/2026 - Crystal Palace (h)

05/12/2026 - Liverpool (h)

12/12/2026 - Manchester City (a)

19/12/2026 - Aston Villa (h)

26/12/2026 - Coventry City (a)

30/12/2026 - Ipswich Town (a)

02/01/2027 - Newcastle United (h)

06/01/2027 - Crystal Palace (a)

16/01/2027 - Sunderland (h)

23/01/2027 - Leeds United (a)

30/01/2027 - Nottingham Forest (h)

06/02/2027 - Manchester United (a)

10/02/2027 - Newcastle United (a)

20/02/2027 - Ipswich Town (h)

27/02/2027 - Aston Villa (a)

03/03/2027 - Coventry City (h)

13/03/2027 - Arsenal (h)

20/03/2027 - Hull City (a)

10/04/2027 - Fulham (h)

17/04/2027 - Brighton and Hove Albion (a)

24/04/2027 - Manchester City (h)

01/05/2027 - Liverpool (a)

08/05/2027 - Tottenham Hotspur (a)

15/05/2027 - Everton (h)

23/05/2027 - Bournemouth (a)

30/05/2027 - Brentford (h)

All fixture dates are subject to change.