The Premier League has issued a warning to supporters that fixtures during the 2025-26 season could be rescheduled at "relatively short notice" due to an unprecedented number of English clubs competing in European tournaments.
A record nine Premier League teams have qualified for UEFA competitions next season, creating significant scheduling challenges.
The Premier League stated: "While the Premier League celebrates this success, it will come with an impact on the scheduling of league matches.
"There is an increased likelihood of Premier League fixtures moving at relatively short notice, after our fixture announcements, should our clubs progress to the knockout rounds of these competitions."
Premier League champions Liverpool face Bournemouth on Friday August 15
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Six Premier League clubs have secured Champions League qualification for the 2025-26 campaign: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham.
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace will compete in the Europa League, whilst Nottingham Forest have qualified for the Conference League.
This marks the highest number of English clubs to qualify for European competitions in a single season.
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Crystal Palace will be playing European football after winning the FA Cup last season
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The achievement reflects the strength of English football but creates complex scheduling issues, as Champions League matches typically take place on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, whilst Europa League and Conference League fixtures are played on Thursdays.
The scheduling complications arise from UEFA's requirement that clubs have at least two clear days between matches.
Teams playing Champions League fixtures on Tuesdays cannot compete in Premier League matches on the preceding Sunday.
Similarly, clubs participating in Thursday Europa League or Conference League matches cannot play Premier League fixtures on the following Saturday.
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Broadcasting arrangements add another layer of complexity.
Fans noticed that no fixtures have been scheduled for Boxing Day or New Year's Day, two dates that have traditionally hosted football matches on.
This is to allow space for broadcasters to rearrange games for these days.
Sky Sports and TNT Sports hold UK television rights and can move matches to various time slots between Friday evening and Monday evening.
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However, they cannot broadcast during the traditional Saturday 3pm "blackout" period, which runs from 2:45pm to 5:15pm.
For the opening round of fixtures, Liverpool v Bournemouth has been chosen for the Friday kick-off, with Aston Villa v Newcastle selected for Saturday lunchtime, followed by Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City in the evening.
Chelsea v Crystal Palace and Manchester United v Arsenal will be shown live on Sunday, while Leeds v Everton will conclude the opening fixtures on the Monday.
According to Opta, Manchester United have the hardest first five fixtures, with notable match ups including Arsenal and Chelsea at Old Trafford and an early trip to play Manchester City at the Etihad.
In contrast, Aston Villa have received the easiest opening games, despite facing Carabao Cup-holders Newcastle and FA Cup-holders Crystal Palace.
The Premier League is to kick off on Friday, August 15.
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