Chelsea’s schedule is absolute chaos right now. If you're wondering when is Chelsea playing, you're definitely not alone. Between the new Champions League "League Phase" format and a deep run in the domestic cups, the Blues are essentially playing every three days.
It's been a wild ride at Stamford Bridge lately. We've seen a mid-season managerial change with Liam Rosenior taking over the reins, a sickness bug ripping through the squad, and a January transfer window that feels like a high-stakes game of poker. Honestly, keeping track of the kick-off times is a full-time job.
Whether you’re looking to plan your weekend around a Premier League derby or trying to figure out which streaming service has the rights to the next European away day, I’ve broken down everything you need to know about the upcoming Chelsea fixtures.
The Immediate Schedule: January and February 2026
The next few weeks are pivotal. Rosenior has just secured his first Premier League win—a gritty 2-0 victory over Brentford—but the honeymoon period won't last long. The fixture list is relentless.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Chelsea vs. Pafos FC (Champions League) – 20:00 GMT
- Sunday, Jan 25: Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea (Premier League) – 14:00 GMT
- Wednesday, Jan 28: Napoli vs. Chelsea (Champions League) – 20:00 GMT
- Saturday, Jan 31: Chelsea vs. West Ham (Premier League) – 17:30 GMT
- Tuesday, Feb 3: Arsenal vs. Chelsea (Carabao Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg) – 20:00 GMT
- Saturday, Feb 7: Wolves vs. Chelsea (Premier League) – 15:00 GMT
- Tuesday, Feb 10: Chelsea vs. Leeds United (Premier League) – 19:30 GMT
- Friday, Feb 13: Hull City vs. Chelsea (FA Cup 4th Round) – 19:45 GMT
- Saturday, Feb 21: Chelsea vs. Burnley (Premier League) – 15:00 GMT
The Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal is the one everyone has circled. Chelsea are trailing 3-2 after a bruising first leg at the Bridge. Overturning that deficit at the Emirates is going to take something special, especially with the Gunners looking like title favorites.
When is Chelsea playing in the Champions League?
The "League Phase" is reaching its boiling point. Chelsea currently sits in a decent position, but the trip to Naples on January 28th is daunting. Antonio Conte's Napoli in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium? That's about as tough as it gets in Europe.
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Before that, they host Pafos FC on January 21st. On paper, it’s a game Chelsea should win comfortably. But we know the Blues. They have a knack for making "easy" games feel like a survival horror movie.
If they finish in the top eight of the league phase, they’ll skip the knockout play-offs in February. If not, expect two more games to be wedged into an already suffocating February schedule on the 17th and 24th.
Looking Ahead: The Spring Slog
Once the frost clears, the stakes only get higher. March is particularly brutal because of the Carabao Cup final.
If Chelsea manages to stun Arsenal in the semi-final, they will be heading to Wembley on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The kick-off for the final has been controversially moved to 16:30 GMT, a decision that hasn't sat well with fans traveling from outside London.
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1 | Arsenal (A) | Premier League | Confirmed |
| March 4 | Aston Villa (A) | Premier League | TBC |
| March 14 | Newcastle (H) | Premier League | Confirmed |
| March 21 | Everton (A) | Premier League | Likely to move |
The Everton game on March 21st is almost certain to be rescheduled if Chelsea reaches the League Cup final. Plus, the FA Cup fifth round is slated for early March, which could further shuffle the deck.
Team News and Selection Headaches
You can't talk about when is Chelsea playing without talking about who is actually fit to play.
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The squad is currently navigating a bit of an injury crisis. Tosin Adarabioyo hobbled off against Brentford with a hamstring tweak. While Liam Rosenior tried to downplay it as "precautionary," the club is already moving fast in the transfer market. Jeremy Jacquet, the 20-year-old French sensation from Rennes, is reportedly the top target to bolster the backline.
Then there’s the Levi Colwill situation. His ACL recovery is going well, but don't expect him back before the end of the season. Reece James is back in training, which is a massive boost, but his minutes are being managed with extreme caution.
Cole Palmer remains the talisman. Even when he looks "frustrated" (as some pundits have noted lately), he’s the guy who produces the magic. Expect him to start every major game unless he literally can't walk.
Where to watch the games
Television schedules in 2026 are a bit of a maze.
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- Premier League: Most games are split between Sky Sports and TNT Sports. The upcoming West Ham game is the Saturday evening slot on Sky, while the Leeds game on February 10th will likely be a midweek special.
- Champions League: TNT Sports remains the home of European football.
- FA Cup: The Fourth Round tie against Hull City on February 13th is a big one—it'll be on BBC One and TNT Sports.
For international fans, the "when is Chelsea playing" question often depends on Peacock (USA), Optus Sport (Australia), or FuboTV (Canada). Always check the local listings 48 hours before kick-off, as the Premier League is notorious for moving games for TV at the last minute.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning to follow the Blues through this intense winter period, here is what you should do right now:
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official Chelsea FC website and download the digital calendar. It auto-updates when fixtures move for TV or cup replays.
- Monitor the Carabao Cup: Keep the night of February 3rd clear. If Chelsea wins, you'll want to be ready for the Wembley ticket scramble the following morning.
- Watch the Transfer Window: The Jacquet deal is moving fast. Keep an eye on news out of Rennes over the next 48 hours, as a new centre-back could be registered in time for the Napoli game.
- Check TV Listings: Since the Hull City FA Cup game is on a Friday night (Feb 13), make sure your subscriptions are active for BBC and TNT.
The race for the top four and silverware is wide open. With Rosenior finding his feet and the squad slowly returning to health, the next two months will define Chelsea's season.