Premier League clubs will skip all matches during the Easter weekend in the 2026/27 season after FIFA shifts the March international break. The opening international window of 2027 now covers Good Friday on March 26 and Easter Monday on March 29, pausing both Premier League and Championship fixtures. Play resumes with FA Cup quarter-finals on April 3.

International Schedule Details

Most international matches occur on Saturdays and Tuesdays. FIFA sets this calendar without input from domestic leagues, despite rising fixture congestion.

Breaking Long-Standing Tradition

This change disrupts over 130 years of British football custom, with Easter Saturday games dating back to 1889. This season features FA Cup quarter-finals over Easter weekend, plus Championship matches on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Boxing Day Returns to Normal

Supporters see a traditional Boxing Day slate next season, as the holiday lands on a Saturday. Last year saw just one top-flight game—Manchester United versus Newcastle—on December 26, with most action the following day.

Extended September Break Confirmed

Leagues halt after September 19 and restart October 10, per FIFA Council’s March 2023 approval. This extension adds an extra week for domestic competitions.

Five annual international breaks—in March, June, September, October, and November—each run two weeks and cap nations at 10 matches outside major tournaments like the World Cup or European Championship.

Impact on Smaller Nations

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill notes growing challenges for less-resourced teams. He stated: “If we’re going to be playing [four-game windows] going forward in the World Cup, which I believe we will do, that’s going to be challenging. You need players to cover and a lot of these bigger nations can replace a Premier League player with a Premier League player. We don’t have that depth in our squad at this minute in time. If you’re thinking of covering those four games, you’re probably going to pick a 30-man squad. I would probably not have anyone to leave out or very few people to leave out.”