A reported list of next season's Premier League fixtures has been leaked and widely circulated on social media platforms, but all may not be as it appears. The official release of next season's fixtures is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 9am. However, as is customary during this period of heightened anticipation among fans, social media has been flooded with early fixture leaks. One particular set has garnered significant attention.

At first glance, they appear quite credible, featuring the standard font and layout typically used when the fixtures are officially released. However, upon closer inspection, several discrepancies become apparent. Among the most glaring are a number of administrative errors that might go unnoticed if you're merely skimming through the opening weekend fixtures or your club's full list.

For instance, Leicester City are included in the list, despite being relegated last season. West Ham are slated to play them on the final day, even though the Foxes are preparing for a season in the Championship.

Another mistake sees Nottingham Forest scheduled to play two matches on December 30 - they're set to host Everton but also travel to Anfield to face Liverpool. Furthermore, Liverpool are down to play Nottingham Forest three times in total.

These numerous errors have left fans sceptical about the reliability of the leaked fixtures.

A leaked document suggested that the opening match of the season on August 15 would have seen Leeds United, fresh from their promotion, host Arsenal at Elland Road. The first weekend's marquee fixture was set to be Newcastle United against Manchester City.

The first heavyweight clash between reigning champions Liverpool and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City was reportedly slated for September 27. The eagerly anticipated Manchester derby was pencilled in for November 29, while Aston Villa were scheduled to host Arsenal on the final day of the season, May 24.

Despite the inaccuracies in the leaked fixtures, the start and end dates align with those officially provided by the Premier League. The new season is set to kick off on the weekend of August 16 and conclude on May 24, 2026, comprising 33 weekends and five midweek rounds of matches.

Players will enjoy a rest period of 83 days following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, excluding those participating in the Club World Cup. Player welfare appears to have been a priority when scheduling matches during the busy festive period, with no two rounds taking place within 60 hours of each other, addressing concerns over fixture congestion.

The season's end date of May 24, 2026 falls in a World Cup year, ensuring the Premier League wraps up before players are called up for the tournament in North America.