The Premier League has officially announced the start and end dates for the 2024/25 season. This upcoming season will begin on 17 August 2024 and conclude on 25 May 2025. The delay in the start of the season is attributed to Euro 2024, with the final round of fixtures taking place simultaneously on Sunday 25 May.
The Premier League has prioritized providing more rest time over the festive period, in response to previous commitments made to clubs to address the congested schedule across Christmas and New Year. As a result, arrangements will be made to allow more rest time over three of the festive match rounds, with no club playing within 60 hours of another match.
The schedule for the 2024/25 season will also be impacted by the planned expansion of the Champions League. This expansion will see ten midweek match rounds replace the previous format of six group stage fixtures. As a result, it could have a knock-on effect on FA Cup replays and the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The 2024/25 Premier League season will consist of four allocated midweek match rounds, as well as one fixture set built in around Bank Holidays. This will stretch the domestic season out across nine months, further complicating the fixture list.
The 2022/23 season was disrupted by the staging of the World Cup in Qatar, which led to many Premier League managers speaking out about the demands placed on players year-round. While the English football industry has not fully embraced the idea of a winter break, there is a reduction of fixtures in January aimed at allowing players time to rest and recuperate before European competition heads into the knockout stages.
One point of relief for players and fans alike is that there will be no games played on Christmas Eve. This decision comes after the significant backlash generated by the decision to stage Wolves vs Chelsea on Christmas Eve in a previous season.
It’s clear that the Premier League is making a concerted effort to prioritize the well-being of players and address the congested schedules that have been a source of concern for many stakeholders in the sport.
In conclusion, the Premier League has confirmed the start and end dates for the 2024/25 season, with a focus on providing more rest time over the festive period. The league continues to navigate the challenges presented by international tournaments and the expansion of European competitions, with the aim of balancing the demands of a packed fixture schedule while prioritizing the well-being of players.
