Newcastle United and Sunderland are scheduled to play their first Tyne-Wear derby of the 2026-27 Premier League season in early December, with both teams’ fixture lists pointing to a December 5 meeting at St James’ Park in Newcastle. The Athletic’s Newcastle schedule notes that the opening derby of the season takes place on the first weekend of December, aligning with Sunderland’s fixture list specifying December 5 as the date they visit Newcastle. The reports focus on the derby timing within the broader 2026-27 league programme, rather than detailing all matchdays or additional fixtures. Taken together, the sources agree on the key point that the first Newcastle–Sunderland derby occurs at St James’ Park on December 5, 2026, marking the start of the season’s local rivalry in the Premier League. Outside of this shared matchup date, the provided excerpts do not confirm other specific opponents or matchdays.