EPL Confirms New Rules Ahead of 2026/27 Season

The Premier League has confirmed a series of rule changes and refereeing guidelines that will take effect from the 2026/27 season, with the aim of reducing time-wasting, improving match flow and enhancing the use of technology.

The updates, approved in line with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game, will apply throughout the new campaign.

New Premier League Rules for the 2026/27 Season

• One-minute exit after injury treatment

• Players who receive on-field medical treatment must leave the pitch for at least one minutebefore returning, except in specific circumstances such as serious injuries or goalkeeper-related exceptions.
  • Five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks
• Referees will use a visible five-second countdownwhere players deliberately delay throw-ins or goal kicks.
• Failure to restart play in time will result in:
  • Throw-in awarded to the opposition, or
  • Corner kick awardedagainst the team delaying a goal kick.
• Ten-second substitution rule

• Substituted players must leave the field within 10 seconds.
• If they exceed the limit, the replacement player cannot enter until the next stoppage after one minute has elapsed.
  • Expanded VAR reviews
• VAR can now review second yellow cards that result in a red card, providing an additional layer of scrutiny for dismissals.
  • Continued VAR improvements
• The league will continue implementing its VAR improvement programme, including:
  • Faster semi-automated offside decisions.
  • Referee announcements after VAR reviews.
  • Additional specialist training for match officials.

The Premier League also confirmed that referees will maintain a high threshold for on-field foul decisions and VAR intervention while continuing to clamp down on simulation, embellishment and deliberate attempts to deceive officials.

The new regulations are expected to come into force when the 2026/27 Premier League season kicks off on August 21, 2026.