The 2023-24 Premier League fixture list has been released this morning, with clubs already looking ahead to the new season… but how were they decided?
The Premier League fixtures has been released, with all 20 clubs already looking ahead to the new season.
Manchester City will be looking to win their fourth title in a row after finishing five points above Arsenal. The Gunners, Manchester United and Newcastle will all be looking to close the gap on Pep Guardiola’s side.
Liverpool will be playing Europa League football along with Brighton. Aston Villa secured their place in the Europa Conference League next season following their win against Brighton on the final day.
Burnley and Sheffield United earned automatic promotion to the Premier League, while Luton Town defeated Coventry City in the play-off final back in May.
With the Premier League fixtures released this morning, many will be wondering how they were decided. Mail Sport provides the answer below.
The 2023-24 Premier League fixtures are set to be released this morning
Vincent Kompany’s Burnley were one of the three teams promoted from the Championship last season
How are the Premier League fixtures decided?
With the new season around the corner, many fans will be wondering how the fixtures are decided.
The man responsible for the task is Glenn Thompson. Thompson has collated over 60,000 games since 1992.
When speaking on when work starts on compiling the new fixtures, Thompson said: ‘For me it is at the start of the year when I get the playing dates from the Premier League. The whole thing is built up, putting in the international dates from FIFA, then the European club competitions. Then the Football Association adds the dates for its competitions. You’re left with the dates when you can play league and League Cup matches.
‘We also consult fan representatives, from the Football Supporters’ Federation, and other stakeholders, to take on board their views.
‘Around March, the Premier League sends to its clubs a form asking questions such as whether there are there any dates they wish not to be at home – which is answered in conjunction with the local police – and whether there are any teams they do not wish to play at home on Boxing Day.
Fixtures are then compiled after the Championship Play-off final. Premier League clubs are then placed in a pairing grid, which defined the dates they will be at home.
For every date in the season, the fixtures computer knows which clubs are at home and which are away. It will then mix them up randomly to determine the matches.
In any five matches, there should be a split of three home fixtures, two away, or the other way around, with the process then reversed.
Premier League fixtures are compiled after the Championship Play-off final
What are the rules applied to the Premier League fixture list?
There are a few rules to consider when compiling the Premier League fixture list.
Clubs are not allowed to start or finish the season with two home or two away matches. This rule is put in place to avoid a disadvantage.
Some clubs will have a partner club and cannot clash on the same day, such as Manchester City and Man United as well as Liverpool and Everton.
During the Christmas period, if a club are at home on Boxing Day, they will then play away on New Year’s Day.
Some clubs will have a partner club and cannot clash on the same day – however, it gets a bit more ‘complex’ when it comes to London teams
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