Arsenal to receive guard of honour in title-decided finale against Crystal Palace
The Gunners were crowned champions after Manchester City dropped points, ending a 22-year drought. Both sides expected to rotate squads ahead of Champions League and Conference League finals.
Premier League champions Arsenal are set to receive a guard of honour during their final match of the 2025-26 season against Crystal Palace. The ceremonial gesture will take place at Selhurst Park on Sunday, May 24, marking the conclusion of the English top-flight campaign. The honour follows the confirmation of Arsenal’s title win after Manchester City dropped points against Bournemouth earlier in the week, ending the club’s longest title drought since 2004.
The match kicks off at 4 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 11 a.m. ET and 7 a.m. PT in the United States. As is standard for the final day of the Premier League season, all fixtures across the league begin simultaneously to prevent competitive advantages for teams still vying for European qualification or relegation survival. The outcome of this specific fixture holds no bearing on the final standings, having shifted the narrative focus toward individual accolades and European preparation.
Both managers are expected to implement significant squad rotation ahead of their respective European finals. Arsenal are preparing to face PSG in the Champions League final, while Crystal Palace are set to play Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final. Given the lack of competitive stakes in this London derby, tactical caution and player rest are anticipated to be the primary considerations for Mikel Arteta and the Crystal Palace management.
The broadcast landscape for the match includes coverage in the United States on CNBC. The network provides the primary television outlet for US viewers, with streaming options available through services such as DIRECTV and YouTube TV. These platforms have included the match in their sports packages, allowing audiences to access the live feed alongside other major sporting events.
The ceremonial nature of the event underscores the institutional achievement of the club rather than the immediate competitive result. With the title already secured, the focus for Arsenal remains on maintaining momentum and managing player fitness for the upcoming continental showdown. The guard of honour serves as a formal recognition of the team’s performance over the season, concluding a campaign defined by the end of a long wait for the league trophy.
