When Does the Premier League Resume After the Extended September-October Break?
The 2026/27 Premier League season kicked off with plenty of excitement and unexpected results. Traditional powerhouses like Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham have all stumbled early on. Even defending champions Arsenal dropped points just before the break, leaving only Manchester City unbeaten through five games.
Fans will now face a two-week wait as the league pauses for an unusually long international break.
Return Date for Premier League Matches
Matches resume on Saturday, October 10, featuring a full weekend schedule. This break combines September and October’s usual international windows into one extended pause.
Premier League Matchday Six Schedule (All times ET)
- Saturday, October 10
- Arsenal vs. Leeds United: 7:30 a.m.
- Aston Villa vs. Brentford: 10 a.m.
- Chelsea vs. Bournemouth: 10 a.m.
- Ipswich Town vs. Fulham: 10 a.m.
- Sunderland vs. Brighton: 10 a.m.
- Manchester United vs. Tottenham: 12:30 p.m.
- Crystal Palace vs. Nottingham Forest: 9 a.m.
- Hull City vs. Everton: 9 a.m.
- Liverpool vs. Manchester City: 11:30 a.m.
- Coventry City vs. Newcastle: 3 p.m.
Why the Lengthy International Break?
In past years, FIFA split the international breaks into separate weeks in September and October. This year’s change comes because the 2026 World Cup expanded to 48 teams, extending the tournament over six weeks during summer. To help players recover and adjust back to club life, FIFA merged the two breaks into one longer window.
This combined break lets national teams gather their players for up to two weeks and play four matches. Coaches get more time to work with their squads than usual, which is rare at the international level.
Upcoming International Breaks
The next international window returns to the traditional format in November 2026. From November 9 to November 17, national teams worldwide will meet to play up to two fixtures.
