Thailand's top flight will open its 2026-27 campaign on Sept 4 with newly promoted Pattani hosting BG Pathum United, the Football Association of Thailand's organising committee announced on Friday, confirming a schedule delayed by three weeks to give national team players extra recovery time.
Defending champions Buriram United face an early away test at Sukhothai, as they begin their pursuit of a fresh title amid growing competition from clubs strengthening their squads over the close season.
Fellow promoted side Rasisalai United will welcome Port in their maiden top-flight fixture. The third new arrival, Si Sa Ket United, begin life in Thai League 1 away at Bangkok United.
The season will run until May 30, 2027, comprising 29 weekend rounds and a single midweek fixture, excluding rearranged or postponed matches. The FAT said the later start -- pushed back three weeks compared with last season -- was designed with player welfare in mind, following a punishing schedule that saw clubs and the national team competing in close succession with little downtime.
Organisers also confirmed the calendar has been built around Asian and Asean Cup commitments, in an effort to reduce the disruption caused by fixture postponements in previous campaigns.
In a further nod to inclusivity, Pattani's home matches during Ramadan -- expected to fall between Feb 8 and March 10, 2027 -- will kick off at 7pm to allow Muslim supporters to attend after breaking their fast.
The final round of fixtures will be played simultaneously across all venues, a measure intended to preserve fairness in both the title race and the relegation battle, which the FAT said would go down to the wire this season.
The governing body called on clubs to adhere strictly to competition regulations throughout the campaign as it looks to raise standards across Thai professional football.
