Newcastle host Saracens on Friday, 26 September and Exeter travel to Northampton on Sunday afternoon in the two other fixtures across the opening weekend.
There will be no Saturday match, to avoid a clash with the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham on 27 September.
The last of the 18 rounds will conclude on the weekend of 6 June, 2026, with the Prem final title decider at Twickenham on Saturday, 21 June 2026.
The move to a midweek night fixture follows news that the men’s Six Nations will open with a Thursday night game for the first time in February 2026.
“Kicking off the campaign with a Thursday night opener brings a fresh twist to our traditional curtain-raiser, and we’re looking forward to seeing Sale Sharks and Gloucester Rugby set the tone in style,” said chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor.
