Through the archives | Opening day classics
With Swansea City set for a trip to Stoke City to start the 2026-27 league season, we take a look back at some memorable opening-day fixtures from down the years.
Swansea City 5-1 Leeds United
Division One | August 29, 1981
Arguably the finest opening-day victory in Swansea City’s history.
John Toshack’s newly promoted side, who had risen from Division Four to the top-flight in four season, faced a Leeds United team that had finished ninth in the previous campaign’s top flight.
But they were simply blown away as the Swans made a fairytale start to their first-ever Division One campaign. Jeremy Charles got the ball rolling after just five minutes, directing Alan Curtis’ cross from the left past goalkeeper John Lukic.
Derek Parlane’s diving header brought Leeds level before summer signing Bob Latchford was denied a penalty for the hosts.
But the second half belonged to the Swans, Latchford’s powerful half-volley gave Lukic no chance as he scored his first goal for the club, before the striker doubled the advantage by tucking away Neil Robinson’s low cross shortly after.
A remarkable debut was topped off with a hat-trick as Latchford rose highest to meet Leighton James’ pinpoint cross and head into the far corner.
Continuing to create chances, there was still time for one more. Against his former club, Curtis picked up the ball from Ante Rajkovic and cut inside from the flank before sending a thunderous effort into the top corner.
The result set the tone for a remarkable season, with Toshack’s men going on to finish sixth having topped the standings with barely a handful of weeks remaining in the season.
Manchester United 1-2 Swansea City
Premier League | August 16, 2014
Another unforgettable opening day came in 2014, as Garry Monk’s side secured Swansea’s first-ever league victory at Old Trafford.
It was a landmark afternoon for Monk, who was starting his first full season as Swansea head coach, while Manchester United were beginning a new era under Louis van Gaal.
The Swans made the perfect start when Ki Sung-yueng put them ahead, finishing from the edge of the area after a neat move.
United responded after the break, with Wayne Rooney producing a superb overhead kick to level the contest.
But Swansea refused to settle for a point. Gylfi Sigurdsson, making his second debut for the club following his return from Tottenham Hotspur, provided the decisive moment 18 minutes from time, converting a low cross to seal a famous victory.
It was United’s first opening-day home defeat since 1972, while Swansea’s success was their first league win at Old Trafford in 12 visits dating back to 1931.
Queens Park Rangers 0-5 Swansea City
Premier League | August 18, 2012
Michael Laudrup’s first competitive game as Swansea boss could hardly have gone better, as the Swans produced one of the most emphatic opening-day victories in Premier League history.
There was plenty of anticipation surrounding the new-look Swansea side following the departure of Brendan Rodgers, but Laudrup’s team quickly showed that the club’s attractive style of football was here to stay.
Summer signing Michu announced himself in style, opening the scoring shortly before half-time with a composed finish on his competitive debut which keeper Rob Green got a hand to but not keep out.
The Spaniard doubled the advantage early in the second half, sweeping home Wayne Routledge’s pass to put Swansea firmly in control.
Nathan Dyer then took centre stage, scoring twice in the space of eight minutes to turn an impressive victory into a rout.
Scott Sinclair, who would leave the club for Manchester City a few days later, completed the scoring in the closing stages to round off a stunning afternoon at Loftus Road.
It was the perfect start to Laudrup’s reign and an early indication of what would become a memorable 2012-13 campaign.
Chelsea 2-2 Swansea City
Premier League | August 8, 2015
A trip to the defending Premier League champions was never going to be an easy way to start the campaign, but the Swans came away from Stamford Bridge with a valuable point.
Oscar’s free-kick put Chelsea ahead, but André Ayew marked his Swansea debut with a close-range finish to restore parity.
The hosts regained their lead a minute later when Willian’s cross deflected off Federico Fernández and looped over Lukasz Fabianski.
The Swans refused to surrender, however, Jonjo Shelvey’s through ball sent Bafétimbi Gomis racing into the box, where he was brought down by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgian was dismissed and Gomis dusted himself down to fire home the resulting penalty and secure a share of the spoils.
Sheffield United 1-2 Swansea City
Championship | August 4, 2018
Yan Dhanda scored with his first touch in senior football as the Swans came from behind to give Graham Potter a winning start.
The hosts took the lead at Bramall Lane through George Baldock in the 62nd minute, but Swansea were back on level terms within nine minutes when Oli McBurnie fired home his first league goal for the club.
Then came a dramatic finale. Having been on the pitch for just 29 seconds, Dhanda popped up with a thrilling late winner, finishing from close range to seal three points for the Swans and send the away end into raptures.
Swansea City 4-2 Bury
Division Three | August 9, 2003
A stunning hat-trick from summer signing Brad Maylett helped Swansea to victory over Bury in front of a fervent crowd of 9,000 at the Vetch Field on the opening day of the 2003-04 season.
Maylett opened the scoring after just five minutes before Andy Preece equalised for the visitors. With the game seemingly heading towards a stalemate, the encounter exploded into life during the closing stages.
Maylett restored Swansea’s lead with 11 minutes remaining before debutant Lee Trundle headed home a third just three minutes later. Lee Connell pulled one back for Bury, but Maylett completed his hat-trick in added time to seal a memorable 4-2 victory.
The result provided an early boost during a campaign in which Swansea improved on their previous season’s 21st-place finish to end the campaign 10th in Division Three. Their rise to the top-flight was under way.