FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 12th, 2021
PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON BEGINS TOMORROW AS BRENTFORD HOST ARSENAL AT 3 P.M. ET ON NBCSN & UNIVERSO
Newly Promoted Clubs Brentford, Norwich City and Watford in Action this Weekend as 2021-22 PL Season Kicks Off
Watford, Following a One-Season Absence, Return to Premier League and Host Aston Villa at 10 a.m. ET on Peacock
2020-21 EFL Championship Winners Norwich City Host Mohamed Salah and Liverpool this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock & Universo
STAMFORD, Conn. – August 12, 2021 – NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2021-22 Premier League season kicks off tomorrow, Friday, August 13 as three newly-promoted clubs – Brentford, Norwich City, and Watford – are in action this weekend.
Kicking off the 2021-22 season, Brentford, who make their Premier League debut and play their first season in England’s top flight in 75 years, host Arsenal this Friday at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN and Universo. Arlo White will call the match, joined by former Premier League footballers Lee Dixon and Graeme Le Saux, live from Brentford Community Stadium.
Coverage begins Friday at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN with a special two-hour, season-opening edition of Premier League Live, hosted by Rebecca Lowe alongside former Jamaica National Team player Robbie Earle and former Premier League footballer Robbie Mustoe. White, Dixon and Le Saux will provide pre- and post-match commentary from a pitch-side desk.
On Saturday, August 14, Watford, which secured promotion back to the Premier League after one season in the Championship, host Aston Villa at 10 a.m. ET on Peacock
Then at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, last season’s EFL Championship winners Norwich City return to the Premier League after a one-year absence and host Mohamed Salah and Liverpool on NBC, Peacock and Universo. White, Dixon and Le Saux will call the match.
This season, Peacock will stream all games airing on the NBC broadcast network live. In addition, Peacock will feature studio shows, full match replays and the Premier League TV channel. All matchdays and windows exclusively on Peacock will feature NBC Sports’ Premier League studio coverage.
New Season, Newly Promoted Teams:
BRENTFORD
First match: Friday, August 13 – Brentford v. Arsenal at 3 p.m. ET – NBCSN, Universo
For the first time in 75 years, Brentford return to the English top tier as they make their Premier League debut hosting Arsenal at Brentford Community Stadium. Led by head coach Thomas Frank, Brentford defeated Swansea City, 2-0, in the Championship Play-off Final last season to secure their first-ever promotion to the PL.
Forward Ivan Toney of England led the EFL Championship with 33 goals last season as Brentford finished third in the table.
Based in West London, Brentford moved from Griffin Park, its home for 116 years, to Brentford Community Stadium last season.
WATFORD
First match: Saturday, August 14 – Watford v. Aston Villa at 10 a.m. ET – Peacock
Following a one-year absence, Watford secured promotion to the Premier League for the 2021-22 season after finishing second in the Championship last season.
Head coach Xisco Munoz, who was appointed to the position in December 2020, leads a club which allowed the fewest goals in the Championship last season, with 30 goals allowed in 46 matches played. Forward Ismaila Sarr led Watford with 13 goals last season, and forward Troy Deeney continues to captain the club as he enters his 12th season with the Hornets.
2021-22 will mark Watford’s eighth PL season since the Hornets were first promoted in 1999-00.
NORWICH CITY
First match: Saturday, August 14 – Norwich City v. Liverpool at 12:30 p.m. ET – NBC, Peacock, Universo
Norwich City won their second EFL Championship title in the past three years last season, securing promotion back to the Premier League after one season in the Championship.
Under head coach Daniel Farke, the Canaries set a club record with 97 points (29-10-7) last season to win the Championship title by a six-point margin over second-place Watford. Striker Teemu Pukki finished third in the league with 26 goals, while Championship Player of the Year Emi Buendia led the league with 16 assists. Norwich City scored the second-most goals last season while allowing the second-fewest.
This season will mark Norwich City’s sixth year in the Premier League since 2011-12.
Following is the NBC Sports’ schedule for the first weekend of the Premier League season (all times ET, subject to change):
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Platform |
| Fri., Aug. 13 | 1 p.m. | Premier League Live | NBCSN |
| Fri., Aug. 13 | 3 p.m. | Brentford v. Arsenal | NBCSN, Universo |
| Fri., Aug. 13 | 5 p.m. | Goal Zone | NBCSN |
| Sat., Aug. 14 | 7 a.m. | Premier League Mornings | NBCSN |
| Sat., Aug. 14 | 7:30 a.m. | Manchester United v. Leeds United | NBCSN, Universo |
| Sat., Aug. 14 | 10 a.m. | Leicester City v. Wolverhampton Wanderers | NBCSN, Universo |
| Sat., Aug. 14 | 10 a.m. | Everton v. Southampton | USA Network |
| Sat., Aug. 14 | 10 a.m. | Burnley v. Brighton & Hove Albion | Peacock |
| Sat., Aug. 14 | 10 a.m. | Chelsea v. Crystal Palace | Peacock |
| Sat., Aug. 14 | 10 a.m. | Watford v. Aston Villa | Peacock |
| Sat., Aug. 14 | 12:30 p.m. | Norwich City v. Liverpool | NBC, Peacock, Universo |
| Sat., Aug. 14 | 2:30 p.m. | Goal Zone | NBC, Peacock |
| Sun., Aug. 15 | 7 a.m. | Premier League Mornings | NBCSN |
| Sun., Aug. 15 | 9 a.m. | Newcastle v. West Ham | NBCSN |
| Sun., Aug. 15 | 11:30 a.m. | Tottenham v. Manchester City | NBCSN, Telemundo |
| Sun., Aug. 15 | 1:30 p.m. | Goal Zone | NBCSN |
–NBC SPORTS–
