FIFA Suspends Premier League and Championship Matches Over Easter in England

Football fans are in for a shock next season, as the Premier League and Championship will go silent over Easter.

According to exclusive information obtained by Daily Mail Sport, FIFA has moved the international break to cover both Good Friday and Easter Monday—a dramatic shift that defies more than a century of tradition.

This change means no top-flight fixtures on the weekend of Easter, while the Championship’s usual double-header will also be suspended.

Lower-tier EFL matches may also see adjustments as clubs navigate the revised calendar.

Details of the New Schedule

Currently, the international break occurs from March 28 for two weeks.

Next season, the pause will begin immediately after matches on March 20, covering Good Friday (March 26) and Easter Monday (March 29).

The football calendar will resume with the FA Cup quarter-finals on April 3.

Most international games are expected to be scheduled for the Saturday and Tuesday of the break.

FIFA reportedly made these calendar adjustments without consulting domestic leagues, adding to mounting fixture pressures.

A similar merged international break later in the season will see Premier League and Championship matches paused after September 19, resuming only on October 10.

A Century-Old Easter Tradition Interrupted

Easter fixtures have been a mainstay of English football for more than 130 years.

The first match on Easter Saturday took place in 1889, while Easter Monday matches began in 1892.

Over the years, Premier League clubs have typically played once over Easter weekend, whereas EFL sides play twice.

Leagues One and Two generally continue unless affected by international call-ups.

Other Key Calendar Adjustments

The EFL season will now start with the Carabao Cup first round on August 8, a week later than previously scheduled.

League fixtures will commence on August 15, while the Premier League kicks off on August 22.

Boxing Day, which falls on a Saturday next season, is expected to maintain its traditional full schedule, unlike this season when only one top-flight match was played on December 26.

Impact and Consequences

This decision could spark fan outrage, with supporters and clubs upset over the loss of Easter weekend fixtures—a fixture period historically associated with large crowds and significant revenue.

Clubs may also face fixture congestion later in the season as they adjust for the missing matches.

What’s Next?

Clubs will now need to rework their season plans, including ticketing, travel, and squad rotation.

Fans, meanwhile, may need to adjust long-held Easter weekend traditions that involve attending live matches.

Domestic leagues may push back or lobby FIFA for more collaborative scheduling in future seasons.

Summary

FIFA’s calendar reshuffle marks a historic interruption of Easter football in England.

Premier League and Championship matches will pause over Good Friday and Easter Monday next season, with broader effects likely across the EFL.

The decision reflects rising fixture pressures but has bypassed traditional consultation channels with domestic leagues.

Bulleted Takeaways

• FIFA moves international break to cover Good Friday (March 26) and Easter Monday (March 29).
• No Premier League or Championship matches will take place over Easter weekend.
• Lower-tier EFL matches may also be impacted depending on international call-ups.
• EFL season starts with Carabao Cup first round on August 8; league games from August 15.
• Boxing Day schedule expected to remain full, avoiding this season’s limited fixture issue.