As the 2026/27 Premier League season prepares to get underway, there are plenty of new things to look out for, including several rule changes.
Liverpool begin their account with a trip to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon, in Andoni Iraola‘s first official game in charge.
It promises to be an exciting season in the Premier League – here are many new things that will be on show.
The 3 newly-promoted teams
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 31, 2022: Everton's manager Frank Lampard during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Everton FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 31, 2022: Everton's manager Frank Lampard during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Everton FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Perhaps the standout of the newly promoted sides are Coventry, who are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2000/01.
Managed by Frank Lampard, they feel the most well-equipped to beat the drop.
Ipswich and Hull join Coventry back in the top flight, with the Tractor Boys only spending one season back in the Championship.
Hull are the favourites to be relegated – can they defy the odds on their return after nine years away?
Clampdown on time-wasting
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Nick Potts/PA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Nick Potts/PA)
Last season was arguably one of the least entertaining Premier League seasons, not helped by teams time-wasting so regularly.
But there are now efforts in place to alleviate that issue…
• Five-second countdown introduced at the referee’s discretion if too long is taken on a throw-in or a goal kick
• Substituted players will also have 10 seconds to leave the pitch – failure to do so will mean their replacement cannot enter the pitch for at least one minute
• A trial will be in place whereby if the game is stopped for a goalkeeper injury, the manager will have to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch immediately
The nominated player has to stay off the pitch for at least one minute after the restart of play.
Here’s hoping this makes a big difference – Mikel Arteta won’t know what’s hit him!
Other rule changes to look out for
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Referee Darren England listens as VAR awards Manchester United a second goal despite a handball during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Man Utd won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Referee Darren England listens as VAR awards Manchester United a second goal despite a handball during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Man Utd won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Time-wasting is far from the only change.
• VAR can intervene to rescind when a second yellow card is given, but only when the card has been initially awarded on the pitch
• Referees will also be stricter when it comes to holding from set-pieces – something which became farcical at times last season
• Injured players will have to leave the pitch for one minute – it was previously 30 seconds for treatment in 2025/26
Let’s just hope these rules aren’t suddenly ignored come the end of September.
Read a full list of all the law changes in 2026/27 HERE.
A record number of new managers
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Iraola will make his Liverpool bow at Newcastle this weekend, but he isn’t the only new boss – far from it.
In fact, there’s a record number of new managers in the Premier League this summer, with nine clubs having changed manager.
Of course, former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso takes charge of Chelsea.
Elsewhere, Enzo Maresca has the tough task of succeeding Pep Guardiola at Man City, and Marco Rose has replaced Iraola at Bournemouth.
Alvaro Arbeloa (Fulham), Pierre Sage (Crystal Palace), Matthias Jaissle (Newcastle), Oliver Glasner (Nottingham Forest) and Gary O’Neil (Ipswich) all embark on new journeys, too.
Meanwhile, Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic tests himself in the Premier League for the first time.
Shiny new signings for big clubs
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet waves to supporters before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet waves to supporters before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Arsenal are the reigning champions, and their rivals knew that strengthening their squad was essential this summer.
The Gunners themselves have snapped up Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, though, which is impressive business.
Elliot Anderson is a big-money £116 million signing for Man City, with the England international a potential replacement for Rodri, whose likely exit is a huge blow.
Chelsea have again splashed the cash, spending big on Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, as well as bringing in Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace.
Man United have signed Andrey Santos from the Blues, and former Villa man Youri Tielemans, as they look to make up for the loss of Casemiro.
But Tottenham have arguably had as good a window as anyone, getting Sandro Tonali from Newcastle and Mateus Fernandes from West Ham.
Centre-back duo Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi look shrewd additions, too, as well as a certain Andy Robertson!
A brand-new 2026/27 football
Presenting the official 2026/27 Premier League match ball ?
See more details here: https://t.co/js5on2hcwA pic.twitter.com/cSFLwQyJo3
— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) May 26, 2026
Fans love a new ball at the start of every season, while goalkeepers just hope it isn’t going to embarrass them.
The official 2026/27 Premier League ball is the PUMA Stellar Nitro Ultimate – the names get wilder by the year!
It has a “distinctive visual identity, with pink, teal, blue and deep purple graphics set against a white base”, according to the Premier League’s official website, and its “4×4 panel construction balances airflow and reduces drag.”
It will cost you as much as £135 from some outlets, though, if you want a kickabout with the real deal!
4 international breaks become 3
LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 31, 2026: England's head coach Thomas Tuchel before an International Friendly match between England and Japan at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 31, 2026: England's head coach Thomas Tuchel before an International Friendly match between England and Japan at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In recent decades, there has been nothing worse than the early international break arriving just as the domestic season gets going.
Thankfully, it has been ditched, with two breaks happening in the autumn and winter, rather than the previous three.
That said, the break in late September will last three weeks, in order for international sides to play four matches in that period.
Player welfare is cited as a reason for the change, as well as the fact that the 2026 World Cup meant the season starts later than usual.
On the plus side, there is no October break at all, but there is one in November as well as the usual March internationals.
ROUNDUP COLLAGE(48)
ROUNDUP COLLAGE(48)