The countdown to the 2021/22 Premier League season has officially started after the release of the fixture list for the new campaign.
Newcastle United supporters now know when and where they will be travelling across the course of 2021/22 season (allowing to any relevant Covid travel rules at the time).
Fans are always keen to know the first home and away fixtures, the last game of the season, as well as the festive calendar and they now have the answers to those questions following the Premier Leagues' fixture release this morning.
Here, NUFC Writer Sean McCormick picks out the five key dates for supporters after the release of the 2021/22 Premier League season.
West Ham (h) - Saturday, August 14
Just like last season, Newcastle have been pitted against the Hammers on the opening day of the campaign.
However, David Moyes' men will make the journey up to St James' Park on the opening weekend this time as they look to build on a successful 2020/21 campaign that saw them finish the season with Europa League qualification.
Nonetheless, Steve Bruce's Magpies can draw confidence from the fact they did the double over West Ham last season and will be hopeful of making a positive start to the campaign in front of their home fans.
The Magpies' first away trip comes the following week when they take on Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Manchester United (h) - Sunday, December 26
Boxing Day is always one of the first fixtures Newcastle fans seek out on the calendar and they won't be disappointed to learn that Manchester United will be their opponents this year.
It's always a momentous occasion when the Red Devils make the trip to St James' Park and the Magpies have enjoyed some famous wins over their old title rivals over the years.
It is the last of a brutal four-game stretch across December, though, that sees United take in trips to Leicester and Liverpool before welcoming Manchester City and their city rivals to St James' Park.
Southampton (a) - Saturday, January 1
New Year's Day is another popular fixture on the calendar, particularly for a good away day, but Newcastle fans may be left disappointed this year.
With public services less frequent on a bank holiday, the Premier League have decided to schedule a 644-mile round trip to Southampton for Newcastle.
Another blow for match-going fans and it's sure to be one that causes some outrage among the travelling Toon Army.
Brentford (a) - Saturday, February 26
It is always a thrill for supporters when there's the possibility of visiting a new stadium on the calendar and, following Brentford's promotion, Magpies fans have just that to look forward to.
The Bees moved into the Brentford Community Stadium last season and actually beat Newcastle there in the quarter-finals of last season's Carabao Cup.
However, this will be the first time Newcastle fans have been able to attend the Middlesex-based stadium and it is sure to be an in-demand trip for away fans.
Burnley (a) - Saturday, May 22
The Magpies will travel to Burnley on the last day of the season and it could be a huge game if there is something riding on it for either team.
Newcastle will hope to be well clear of relegation trouble this season but given both sides flirted with the drop last term it could prove to be a pivotal game at the bottom of the table when the two sides clash at Turf Moor.
