Bold claim: Easter football in the Premier League and Championship is set to vanish next season, reshaping a century-old tradition. But here’s where the story gets controversial... sources reveal FIFA will place the Good Friday and Easter Monday international breaks directly within the Easter weekend, effectively leaving top-tier leagues dark over the holiday.
What this means in practice
- The Premier League and the Championship are each affected: the Premier League typically schedules one round over Easter, while the Championship runs two rounds. With the international calendar moved into Easter, both leagues would pause, along with other EFL competitions, creating a rare Easter void.
- The international break would begin after the weekend of March 21–22 this season, but next year it would cover Good Friday (March 26) and Easter Monday (March 29). Clubs would resume domestic action on April 3 with FA Cup quarter-finals, and most international fixtures would be played on the Saturday and Tuesday surrounding those dates.
Background and context
- Domestic leagues reportedly were not consulted when FIFA set this calendar, which aims to accommodate growing fixture pressures on national teams and clubs alike.
- A merged break would also shift the Premier League and Championship pause to later in the autumn, restarting after September 19 and continuing through to October 10.
- Easter football has deep roots: the first Easter Saturday match dates back to 1889, and Easter Monday top-flight games began in 1892. Over time, the tradition of Sunday games has rarely persisted, and Easter Monday fixtures became a fixture mainly for the top leagues.
Other scheduling notes
- This season’s Easter weekend will still include FA Cup quarter-finals and a substantial slate of Championship matches.
- Since 2012, Premier League teams have typically played one game over the Easter weekend, while EFL clubs generally play two, with some exceptions for players away on international duty.
- The Carabao Cup will start the new season with first-round ties on August 8, before a wider August 15 start for League games and August 22 for the Premier League.
- Boxing Day arrangements will shift to a standard weekend schedule, rather than the single Premier League match that occurred this year.
What fans and clubs should watch
- The move could spark debate about the balance between international duties and domestic competition, potentially affecting player fatigue, transfer planning, and fan engagement.
- Critics may question whether safeguarding national team schedules should override long-standing league traditions, while supporters might argue that a streamlined calendar could reduce mid-season congestion.
Commentary invitation
- Do you think moving Easter into the FIFA international window is workable, or should leagues protect traditional Easter fixtures at all costs?
- Which compromises would you accept—earlier finish to the season, more midweek games, or adjustments to international windows?
Note: FIFA has been contacted for comment.
