The English Premier League has confirmed the start and end dates for the 2025/26 season. The new campaign will kick off on August 16, 2025, and conclude on May 24, 2026. Notably, the league has made significant changes to the festive period schedule to prioritize player welfare.
Key highlights of the new schedule include:
– No two match rounds will take place within 60 hours of each other, addressing concerns about the congested holiday fixture list.
– No matches will be held on Christmas Eve in 2025.
– The season spans 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds, providing an evenly distributed calendar.
– The August 16 start date guarantees 83 days of rest for players following the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign.
– The May 24 end date ensures the league concludes ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period, offering players ample preparation time for the global tournament.
Source: Punch
