Photo: dom fellowes / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Hull City hosts Manchester United in Premier League opener after nearly a decade away
The Tigers return to the top flight with arguably the toughest possible assignment, welcoming a Manchester United side that finished third last season.
Hull City will step back onto English football’s biggest stage on August 22, hosting Manchester United at the MKM Stadium in the opening match of the 2026/27 Premier League season. Kick-off is set for 12:30 BST.
A long road back to the top flight
Hull City’s last Premier League appearance came in the 2016/17 season, a campaign that ended in relegation. Nearly a decade passed before the Tigers secured their return, clinching promotion through the Championship playoffs in the 2025/26 season.
Manchester United, managed by Michael Carrick, finished third in the Premier League last season. United have been given a 69% probability of winning this match.
A lopsided history
The Tigers are winless in their last 10 Premier League meetings against Manchester United. The most recent encounter, a 0-0 draw in February 2017, was the closest thing to a positive result in that stretch.
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What both sides are dealing with
Neither team enters the match at full strength. Both Hull and Manchester United are dealing with multiple player injuries heading into the season opener.
Carrick’s familiarity with Manchester United adds an interesting subplot. The former United midfielder spent over a decade at Old Trafford as a player and later served on the coaching staff.
The 12:30 BST kick-off, which translates to 7:30 a.m. ET for viewers across the Atlantic, means this match will serve as the Premier League’s opening showcase.