Northampton to host Newcastle in 2026-27 Premiership opener

Prem champions Northampton will kick off the 2026-27 Premiership season with a home game against Newcastle on the opening weekend. Exeter are scheduled to begin their campaign at home to Gloucester.

The first weekend of the 2026-27 season pairs the title-holders Northampton with Newcastle, while Exeter will host Gloucester as part of the initial round of fixtures. These matches mark the formal start of the Premiership calendar for the new campaign. The announcements set out the opening match-ups without yet detailing exact kick-off times or venues.

Northampton, who enter the new season as reigning Prem champions, will open their defence against Newcastle at home on the opening weekend. The fixture places the champions in a high-profile slot at the start of the season. Northampton will therefore begin the 2026-27 Premiership programme against the same opponent named in the early schedule.

Exeter’s first match of the 2026-27 season is a home tie with Gloucester on the opening weekend. That pairing puts Exeter and Gloucester on the opening weekend bill alongside other early fixtures. Exeter will host Gloucester as part of the competition’s initial slate of matches.

The announced opening weekend fixtures confirm the headline clashes for the season’s first round, featuring the champions in a home match and established clubs matching up in local contests. Organisers have listed Northampton v Newcastle and Exeter v Gloucester among the fixtures that launch the 2026-27 Premiership.

The opening weekend will therefore present Northampton defending their title on home soil against Newcastle, while Exeter will welcome Gloucester to kick off their campaign. Supporters can expect those matches to signal the start of the 2026-27 Premiership season.