CHERRIES have secured their return to the Premier League, and whilst this year’s competition is yet to conclude, there are many fans on the south coast already looking forward to next campaign.
After two seasons heavily impacted by COVID restrictions, the schedule for next year will also make accommodations – this time for the World Cup, which takes place in Qatar during November and December.
In order to complete the season in a timely fashion, the Premier League will start one week earlier, with games taking place from Saturday, August 6.
Because of the World Cup, the international windows that traditionally take place in October and November have been temporarily scrapped.
Instead, there will be a total of three breaks for international football, with the September window, which usually starts when the transfer window closes, pushed back a few weeks to Monday, September 19, lasting eight days until Tuesday, September 27.
There will be 16 rounds of fixtures before the league pauses for the World Cup, with the last games being played on the weekend of November 12.
Whilst the tournament itself does not start until Monday, November 21, there is a call-up period beginning on Monday, November 14, for pre-tournament friendlies.
The final takes place on Sunday, December 18, with the Premier League resuming on Boxing Day.
Matches will continue until the March international break, which takes place from Monday, March 20, until Tuesday, March 27.
With the league starting a week earlier, it will also end a week later, with final games to be played simultaneously on Sunday, May 28.
This means the season will consist of 34 weekends, three midweek games, and one Bank Holiday fixture – subject to sides advancing in cup competitions.
Cherries will know the order of teams they will face on Thursday, June 16.
In terms of the transfer window, clubs will be able to register players from Friday, June 10, with most international deals set to be confirmed from July 1 onwards.
Teams will then have until 23:00 BST on Thursday, September 1 to complete their business.
Premier League key dates:
Summer Transfer Window open - Friday, June 10
Fixtures announcement - Thursday, June 16
Match round one - Saturday, August 6
Summer Transfer Window closes - Thursday, September 1, 23:00 BST
September International Window - Monday, September 19 – Tuesday, September 27
Match round 16 -Weekend of November, 13
World Cup - Monday, November 21 – Sunday, December 18
Match round 17 - Boxing Day (Monday, December 26)
Winter Transfer Window opens* - Sunday, January 1
Winter Transfer Window closes* - Tuesday, January 31, 23:00 GMT
League Cup Final - Sunday, February 26
March International Window - Monday, March 20 - Tuesday, March 27
Match Round 38 - Sunday, May 28
FA Cup final* - Saturday, June 3
(* yet to be confirmed)
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