The English Premier League has confirmed the official dates for the 2025/26 season.
In a statement released on Friday, the Premier League revealed that the new season will begin on Saturday, August 16, 2025, and conclude with the final round of matches on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The season will offer an exciting journey from start to finish.
The announcement, titled “Dates for 2025/26 Premier League Season Confirmed,” also highlighted a renewed focus on player welfare, particularly during the busy festive period.
For the first time, no two match rounds will be scheduled within 60 hours of each other, addressing long-standing concerns about the packed holiday fixture list. Additionally, no matches will be played on Christmas Eve in 2025, a move likely to be welcomed by both players and fans.
Significant changes have also been made to the festive period schedule to ensure players have sufficient rest.
The statement read, “The schedule continues to allow more rest time for players over the festive match-round period, with no two rounds taking place within 60 hours of each other.
“This is in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested Christmas and New Year schedule.”
The season will span 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds, ensuring a balanced calendar.
Also, the start date of August 16 gives players 83 days of rest following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
The end date of May 24, 2026, ensures the Premier League concludes ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period, allowing players ample time to prepare for the global tournament.
This careful scheduling, according to the league, highlights the Premier League’s commitment to preserving competitive integrity while prioritising player health and well-being.
“The 2025/26 season will consist of 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds. The start date of August 16 allows for the maximum player rest time available—83 clear days—from the end of the 2024/25 season.
“The season end date of May 24 2026 ensures the Premier League season finishes ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period. There will be no fixture on December 24, 2025,” it concluded.
