The 2012–13 Premier League (known as the Barclays Premier League for sponsorship reasons) is the 21st season of the Premier League, the English professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1992. The fixture schedule was released on 18 June 2012. The season began on 18 August 2012 and will end on 19 May 2013. Manchester City are the defending champions, having won their first Premier League title the previous season. This was their first top division league title since the 1967–68 season.