Premier League confirms 2026/27 season dates with Boxing Day football set for a festive comeback | OneFootball

The Premier League has officially confirmed the dates for the 2026/27 season, unveiling a schedule  designed to prioritise player welfare following continued complaints from managers over the stresses of the various international tournaments.

A significant highlight for fans is the return of a proper Boxing Day football schedule. With Boxing Day 2026 falling on a Saturday, the Premier League has confirmed a full round of fixtures will take place across the day.

There has been disappointment at the 2025 season with only one Premier League fixture on 26 December. The League has cited “the expansion of European club competitions” as the root of this problem, meaning they have to design fixtures around the calendar rather than traditionally significant dates.

The new campaign will kick off on Saturday, 22 August 2026, starting one week later than usual. A decision designed to ensure players will receive 89 days of rest from the end of the current season and 33 days following the FIFA World Cup Final in July 2026.

The season will wrap up on Sunday, 30 May 2027, with all matches kicking off simultaneously as usual on the final day.

In total, the 2026/27 season will feature 33 weekend rounds and five midweek matchdays, with efforts made to minimise clashes with UEFA club competitions. Over the busy festive period, the league will enforce a rule ensuring no two match rounds are played within 60 hours, helping clubs manage player fatigue during the most demanding stretch of the season.