The new Premier League campaign is almost here and there are a whole host new things to look out for in 2025/26.From rule changes to new grounds, we examine what you can expect over the next nine months as we gear up for our opening match at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
eight-Second Rule
Should a goalkeeper exceed the time limit set by the new rules, a referee will give a corner to the opposing team. Referees have been instructed to warn goalkeepers with a five-second countdown.
The law is aimed at clamping down on time wasting and is a rule that has been implemented across football worldwide.
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Yellow cards will be given out to players who do not have permission to speak with the referee or behave in a disrespectful manner. If the goalkeeper is the one with the armband, then the team can nominate one outfield player to speak with the referee.
Other rule changes
An indirect free-kick will be awarded if a player, substitute or coach off the pitch touches the ball before it goes out of play.
A drop ball will be given to a team that did not touch the ball last before play was stopped, so long as the referee believes that team would have gained possession.
Finally, while offsides are judged on the passing player's first point of contact with the ball, in 2025/26, goalkeepers will only be judged on their last point of contact, including a throw or kick.
Promoted sides
Burnley, managed by Scott Parker, have returned to the top flight at the first time of asking, having been relegated in 2023/24. We are scheduled to travel to Turf Moor on November 1, before the reverse fixture at Emirates Stadium on May 17, 2026.
Leeds United were promoted as Championship winners, finishing on 100 points last season to make a return to the Premier League after two seasons away. The Yorkshire outfit are our first visitors to N5 on August 23, at 5.30pm. We travel to Elland Road on January 31, 2026.
Lastly, Sunderland have returned to the Premier League after being relegated in 2016/17. In that time, the Black Cats have been down to League One and back, clinching their spot in the top flight with a dramatic 2-1 playoff final win over Sheffield United. We will head to the Stadium of Light a week after our trip to Burnley, scheduled for November 7. The return fixture will be on February 7, 2026.
managers and players
Millions of pounds have been exchanged, with a host of new faces getting ready to make their Premier League bows.
Starting with the managers, there will be two new faces gracing the dugouts with Brentford's Keith Andrews and Sunderland's Regis Le Bris gearing up for their first Premier League matches.
Andrews steps up from set-piece coach to head coach following Thomas Frank's departure to Tottenham. Le Bris becomes the ninth Frenchman to be in charge of a Premier League club after guiding Sunderland to the top flight via the playoffs.
In terms of players, we have been one of the busier sides in the league, bringing in six new arrivals to date. Newly promoted Burnley have been the busiest in the window, recruiting 13 players ahead of the new campaign.
New Stadium
Situated on Bramley-Moore Dock on the Liverpool waterfront, the first competitive match at the stadium comes on Sunday, August 24, against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The stadium is the 62nd venue to host Premier League football. We are scheduled to head to Merseyside's newest stadium on Saturday, December 20.
referees
These include Lewis Smith, Farai Hallam, Adam Herczeg, Tom Kirk, Ruebyn Ricardo and Ben Toner. Smith already has experience within the Premier League, having had the whistle for nine top-flight matches already when part of the PGMO's Development Group.
As well as those on the pitch in charge of matches, former FIFA official Kevin Blom has also joined PGMO in the role of VAR performance coach for 2025/26.
Blom is a former referee, having officiated matches in UEFA and FIFA competitions, as well as operating as a video match official at EURO 2020.
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