This was our preview of the Premier League's final day drama. At 17:00 GMT on May 23, 2026, all ten Premier League matches kicked off simultaneously across the country. Arsenal had already collected the trophy, but the day delivered all the chaos we anticipated. A third relegation spot, European qualification, and millions in domestic and continental revenue were decided in ninety minutes. Here is what we were watching for, and what still mattered going into the day.
The settled: Arsenal champions, Wolves and Burnley down
Let's clear the decks first. Arsenal have won the Premier League, clinching the title before the final day when Manchester City drew away to Bournemouth on May 19. The Gunners end a 22-year wait for the English top-flight trophy โ their first league title since 2004. That is the story of the season. Enjoy it, celebrate it, and now focus on what comes next.
Equally settled: Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley are relegated. Both teams were mathematically eliminated weeks ago. The third relegation spot, however, is wide open and will be decided tomorrow.
Relegation: Tottenham vs West Ham โ one will go down
Tottenham Hotspur sit 17th on 38 points. West Ham United are 18th on 36 points, two adrift. Only one combination of results sends Spurs down: they lose to Everton at home AND West Ham beat Leeds away AND West Ham's goal difference is better than Spurs' at the final whistle.
In other words, Spurs are heavy favorites to survive. A draw at home to Everton likely keeps them up. But football is never certain. Everton have nothing to play for and could field a weakened side, or they could come to fight. West Ham, desperate and at Elland Road where Leeds may also have little to lose, could scrape a win. The mathematics favour Spurs, but the outcome is not yet written.
European qualification: The top 4 is locked, but the fifth spot matters
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa are guaranteed in the Champions League next season. All four have mathematically secured a top-four finish and cannot be caught. Villa's status is complicated (they are the defending Europa League champions, which affects European spots), but in the final Premier League table, the top four will not change.
The fight for fifth place โ and the fifth Champions League spot โ is more interesting. Liverpool hold fifth on 59 points, with Bournemouth in sixth on 56 points. Liverpool are three points ahead with one fixture left, which is a commanding lead given that Bournemouth can only gather three points maximum from their final game against Nottingham Forest.
Unless Liverpool suffer a catastrophic collapse against Brentford (unlikely), they will secure the fifth spot and a place in the Champions League group phase. Bournemouth would drop into the Europa League, a respectable outcome for a club that has punched well above its weight this season.
The final day fixtures: All 10 games, simultaneous kick-off
This is non-negotiable. All Premier League matches on the final day must kick off at the same time to prevent teams from advantaging or disadvantaging one another by knowing results from earlier fixtures. Tradition (and fairness) demands it.
The confirmed matchups for Sunday, May 24 at 17:00 (or 16:00 in some time zones) include:
- Tottenham vs Everton โ The relegation decider for Spurs
- West Ham vs Leeds โ Make-or-break for the Hammers
- Manchester City vs Everton โ (or another fixture; final lineups being confirmed)
- Liverpool vs Brentford โ Liverpool chasing top 5 and Champions League
- Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest โ Bournemouth's final push
- Newcastle vs Chelsea โ A classic final-day clash
- Aston Villa vs Manchester City โ (fixtures as reported)
- Plus four additional fixtures across the league
Every result matters. Every goal matters. Every minute matters. This is why the Premier League final day is unmatched in its drama.
Why final day is the biggest traffic day in football
The relegation battle is immediate jeopardy for three clubs and their supporters. A town loses its Premier League status overnight. Managers' jobs hang in the balance. A season of toil comes down to 90 minutes.
The European qualification race affects revenue, player recruitment, and sporting ambition for the next twelve months. Liverpool fans are biting their nails despite their three-point lead. Bournemouth fans are hoping for miracles. West Ham supporters are praying for divine intervention.
And for neutral fans, it is simply the greatest spectacle football produces. Ten matches, same clock, infinite permutations, no hiding place. That is why billions of eyes will be on the Premier League tomorrow.
How to watch and follow live
All ten Premier League fixtures kick off simultaneously at 17:00 GMT on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Sky Sports is broadcasting all matches in the UK. Most broadcasters worldwide will simulcast the action. Check Scorelisto for live scores, commentary, and real-time updates as the drama unfolds across every stadium in England.
FAQ
Is Arsenal's title win worth celebrating if there's still drama on final day? Absolutely. Arsenal broke a 22-year drought. But yes, the final day is so compelling that even a team that has already won will have some interest in how the rest of the league shakes out.
Can Tottenham be relegated? Mathematically, yes, but only in a very specific scenario. They must lose to Everton, West Ham must beat Leeds, and West Ham must have a better goal difference at the final whistle. Unlikely, but possible.
What happens if Liverpool don't finish in the top five? They would be in the Europa League group phase instead of the Champions League. Still European football, but less prestige and revenue.
What time is kick-off? All 10 games simultaneously at 17:00 GMT (or 16:00 in some broadcasts โ check your local guide). No staggered kicks to preserve competitive integrity.
Where can I get live scores? Return to Scorelisto's blog for all the final day previews, reaction, and live coverage as it happens.