The English Premier League (EPL) has officially announced the dates for the 2025/26 season, with a focus on prioritizing player welfare.
According to a statement released on the EPL website, the new campaign will kick off on Saturday, August 16, 2025, and conclude on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
In a significant move to address concerns about player fatigue, the league has made substantial changes to the festive period schedule. For the first time, no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours of each other, providing players with more rest time.
Furthermore, the EPL has announced that no matches will be held on Christmas Eve in 2025, a decision that is likely to be welcomed by players and fans alike. The league’s commitment to player welfare is evident in its scheduling, which allows for 83 clear days of rest for players following the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign.
The 2025/26 season will consist of 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds, providing an evenly distributed calendar. The season’s end date ensures that the league concludes ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period, offering players ample preparation time for the global tournament.
As stated in the release, “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.”
Key highlights of the 2025/26 season include:
– The season spans 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds.
– The August 16 start date guarantees 83 days of rest for players.
– The May 24 end date ensures the league concludes ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period.
With the dates now confirmed, fans can mark their calendars and look forward to another exciting season of Premier League football.
