Premier League confirms later start date for next season to protect player welfare | OneFootball

2026/27 top-flight campaign will start one week later following inaugural 48-team World Cup in North America

The Premier League has announced that the 2026/27 season will begin a week later than usual as it seeks to protect “player welfare” at a time when the global football calendar has become “increasingly congested”.

A statement detailing the decision followed a meeting held by shareholders on Friday morning.

The current Premier League season began with Liverpool’s win at Bournemouth on August 15 and runs until the final day of the campaign on May 24.

But next season will begin a week later, on August 22, with the final round of matches to be played on May 30.

The inaugural edition of the expanded 48-team World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States delays the end of the season for players involved and the Premier League believes that a later start date allowing for the usual length of rest is an important step.

It is understood that Boxing Day falling on a Saturday in 2026 will allow for a more normal schedule of matches around the Christmas period.

A statement from the Premier League read: “The Premier League Season 2026-27 dates have been confirmed, with the opening match round starting on Saturday 22 August 2026.

“The final match round will be played on Sunday 30 May 2027, when all fixtures will kick off simultaneously as usual.

“With an increasingly congested global football calendar, player welfare remains a priority for the Premier League. As a result, the Premier League will start one week later next season.

“This will allow for 89 clear days from the end of the current season and 33 days from the FIFA World Cup 26 Final. The season will conclude one week prior to the UEFA Champions League Final which will be played on Saturday 5 June 2027.

“The 2026-27 Season will consist of 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds. The Premier League schedule will be designed to avoid domestic competition clashes with UEFA club competition dates, wherever possible.

“Over the Christmas and New Year period, no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours. This is in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested Christmas and New Year schedule within the expanded international calendar.”