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
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One of the biggest rule changes to the Premier League season sees goalkeepers punished for holding onto the ball for longer than eight seconds.
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.
Captains only
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Another law that has been implemented is that only captains of each club will be allowed to approach the referee during the 90 minutes of play.
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
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As per most Premier League seasons, subtle rule changes have been made. In addition to the rules above, a player will be allowed to retake a penalty if they accidentally touch the ball twice when kicking their spot kick. This rule only applies if the effort goes in.
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
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Following the relegation of Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton back to the Championship, three more sides are gearing up for a return to the Premier League.
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
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As ever, the transfer window is a busy time in the football calendar, with players and managers coming and going all over the country.
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
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In 2024/25, Everton waved goodbye to Goodison Park, their home since 1892, as they prepared to move into their new ground, the Hill Dickinson 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
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There will be six new faces joining the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), who have been added to a supplementary list for the Select Group 1, which serves both the Premier League and EFL for 2025/26.
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.
Fantasy Football
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Fantasy Football grips supporters, season in, season out as players around the world look to build their perfect squads for 2025/26.
There are a couple of things to take into consideration this time around when constructing your side to beat friends and rivals alike.
Outfield players will now be rewarded with points for 'defensive contributions'. Any defender who reaches a combined total of 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) in a single match will score two FPL points.
There are also opportunities for midfielders and forwards to get in on the act. In addition to their clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles, their 'ball recoveries' will also count towards their total of defensive contributions (CBIRT). This means they have the chance to make 12 defensive contributions to earn their two FPL points, instead of 10.
There will also be two sets of chips awarded for each player, meaning you can go twice with your triple captain, free hit, wildcard and bench boost during 2025/26. The assistant manager chip will not be returning after one season.
Tweaks to the assist rule, extra transfers during the Africa Cup of Nations and bonus points criteria also feature in a slew of changes.
You can keep up to date with all things fantasy football this season Arsenal.com with our dedicated articles looking at the best of our stars to pick!
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