Portadown travels to Co Antrim Shield holders Carrick Rangers on August 8. The new season kicks off on Friday, 7 August, with the north Belfast derby between Cliftonville and Crusaders.
The opening weekend sees Portadown face Carrick Rangers, while champions Larne welcome Bangor to Inver Park on Sunday, 9 August.
Why it matters for Portadown
Portadown's league standing is 9th in Northern Ireland Premiership, with 36 pts, 11W-3D-19L from 33 games, and recent form WWLDD. Their last result was a 4-2 win against Bangor on 2026-04-25.
The first weekend of fixtures also includes Linfield's visit to the Ballymena Showgrounds and a repeat of the Irish Cup final between Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine.
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| August 8 | Carrick Rangers |
| August 15 | Dungannon Swifts |
| August 22 | Crusaders |
| August 29 | Coleraine |
All matches are at 15:00 BST/GMT unless stated.
Portadown will face a tough test against Carrick Rangers, but with their recent form, they will be looking to get off to a strong start. The rest of the season will be key for Portadown as they aim to improve their league standing and make a push for the top spots. With the likes of weather, broadcast schedules, international call-ups, and European matches, all fixtures are subject to change. The Boyle Sports Premiership returns on Friday, 7 August, and Portadown will be ready to kick off their new season.
