As the Premier League prepares to kick off its 2025/26 season on August 15, league chief executive Richard Masters has firmly ruled out any plans to reduce the number of clubs from 20 to 18, despite ongoing concerns over an increasingly congested football calendar.
The season starts just three weeks after Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph over Paris Saint-Germain, marking the continuation of a nearly year-round schedule for some clubs. Chelsea, in particular, endured almost 12 months of continuous competitive football before enjoying a brief respite, only to face another intense campaign culminating in the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19.
Fixture Congestion and Player Welfare Concerns
The crowded calendar has drawn widespread criticism from players, managers, and pundits alike. Last September, Manchester City midfielder Rodri voiced fears that players were “close” to striking over the relentless match schedule — just days before suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
Similar concerns have been echoed across the football world, especially as other leagues take steps to ease player workloads. Notably, France’s Ligue 1 reduced its league size from 20 to 18 clubs for the 2023/24 season, aiming to alleviate fixture congestion and better protect player welfare.
Premier League Chief Executive Stands Firm
Despite this precedent, Richard Masters told BBC Sport that the Premier League will not be pressured into following Ligue 1’s lead.
“I don’t think we should be forced into that decision,” Masters said.
“I am all for the growth of the game and the exciting competitions our clubs can participate in — but not at the expense of domestic football.”
Masters’ comments highlight the league’s commitment to maintaining its current structure, prioritizing the traditional format and revenue considerations over fixture reduction.
Ongoing Dispute Between FIFA and FIFPRO Over Player Workload
Masters’ stance comes amid a prolonged dispute between FIFA and FIFPRO, the global players’ union, regarding the congested football calendar and its toll on player health.
FIFPRO General Secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann has highlighted the difficulties players face in voicing concerns about their workloads, fearing negative impacts on their careers. Baer-Hoffmann revealed:
“I was speaking to some of the top stars who were going to play in the Club World Cup, and they were saying that they hadn’t had a rest for X amount of time.”
“One of them even said, ‘I’ll only get a rest when I get injured.’ Others were resigned, actually, and cynical about speaking up.”
The ongoing tension underscores the delicate balance between commercial football interests and safeguarding player welfare.
What’s Next for the Premier League?
As the Premier League season draws near, fans, players, and officials alike will be watching closely to see how the league manages the fixture pile-up. The decision to maintain 20 teams means clubs will face a similarly demanding schedule as previous seasons, with no immediate relief in sight for players concerned about burnout and injury.
