Chiefs complete season structure with 2026/27 Gallagher PREM fixtures

Exeter Chiefs’ 2026/27 season structure is now complete with the announcement of the new Gallagher PREM fixtures.

Last season’s runners-up in a final clash with Northampton Saints, the Chiefs will christen the new campaign at home against Gloucester Rugby on Saturday, 26 September at 15:05.

The month of October is packed full of rounds two to five, with Chiefs playing twice at Sandy Park against Newcastle Red Bulls in round three and Harlequins in round five. Bath Rugby on a Friday night at the Recreation Ground and an evening kick-off at Ashton Gate against Bristol Bears then await in rounds two and four.

Director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “It’s always great to start the season with some local derbies. Those games tend to get very good crowds, so I’m sure Gloucester will travel in good numbers for that first game.

“It’s also great to be playing them first in the year we celebrate 20 years at Sandy Park, especially with them having been the very first Prem fixture we ever played.

“Then travelling to Bath, it’s a great opportunity for our supporters to join us on the road. It’s a nice set of opening fixtures to encourage the fans to really get behind the team and enjoy watching us play against some really good sides.

“Obviously, finishing that first block of games against Newcastle at home before heading across to Toulouse will be very interesting. All their new recruits will be imbedded, so it’ll be intriguing to see how Red Bulls are set up at that point in the season.”

The Prem Rugby Cup takes centre stage in November during the international break before Chiefs return to league action with a Sunday afternoon trip to Sale Sharks in the first weekend of December for round six.

A replay of last season’s final awaits in round seven as Chiefs travel to Franklin’s Gardens to take on Northampton Saints on Saturday, 19 December before the Exeter men return home for a festive fixture against old enemies, Saracens on Sunday, 27 December.

Baxter added: “It’s always nice to look over the Christmas period and see such a huge fixture as that Saracens game in the schedule. We’ve had some big festive fixtures against them before, so I’m certain that’ll be set to be another fantastic occasion.”

The first fixture of the New Year pits Chiefs against Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday, 2 January for a 17:30 evening kick-off.

Rounds 10 to 18 remain to have their exact times and dates confirmed, but all weekends are locked in. There is one sole league fixture in January, a south west derby between Chiefs and Bristol Bears at Sandy Park, before PREM rugby returns post 2027 Guinness Six Nations on the penultimate weekend of March.

For round 11, Chiefs play host to Saints before travelling to the big smoke to take on Harlequins at the Stoop the following weekend.

The Run-In to season’s end begins on the weekend of April 17 with Chiefs welcoming Sale Sharks to Devon before making the long trip north to Newcastle Red Bulls on April 24 weekend.

The final four rounds could prove pivotal for Baxter’s men. Bath Rugby at home in round 15, followed by Saracens at the Stone X, a last dance at home against Tigers before round 18 marks the finale of the regular season at Kingsholm Stadium against Gloucester.

Baxter concluded: “Last year, it was kind of nice to start the season with everyone on zero, because it gave us the opportunity to improve on where we were before. Now, when you’ve been in the final, you look at starting the next season on zero and it feels like you’ve got to start earning points very quickly.

“The games run out fast, so we’ve got to hit the ground running. Hopefully collecting points early in the season will build us a foundation for where we want to be later on in the season.”

Tickets for Chiefs’ opening fixture against Gloucester will go on sale on Tuesday, 11 August however, if you would like to secure your seat for every home game of the season then you can purchase one of our seasonal memberships here now.

A full list of the season’s fixtures can be found here.