The Premier League will remain a 20-club competition, despite growing concerns over fixture congestion and pressure from world football authorities to ease the domestic calendar. Chief executive Richard Masters has confirmed the league will not follow France’s Ligue 1 in reducing its size to 18 teams.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Masters emphasized that the Premier League must protect domestic football from the mounting strain of international and continental competitions.
“I don’t think we should be forced into that decision,” he 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.”
The 2025-26 season is set to begin on 15 August and stretch for nearly 11 months, concluding with the World Cup final in the United States on 19 July.
The compressed schedule follows a summer of intense competition, including Chelsea’s recent Club World Cup triumph over Paris Saint-Germain and the conclusion of the Summer Series just two weeks before the league’s kickoff.
Fifa’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup and the 48-nation World Cup, combined with Uefa’s enlarged European competitions, have left little room in the calendar.
Masters echoed concerns long expressed by players’ union Fifpro, accusing Fifa of failing to consult stakeholders about the impact on players and domestic leagues.
“We are asking the players to play in more matches,” he warned. “There has to be, at the top of the game, a proper dialogue between Fifa and all the stakeholders. That has been sadly missing.”
Recent scheduling disputes have underlined the strain. Chelsea and Manchester City requested a delayed league start after their summer exertions, but the Premier League rejected the plea, citing fairness to all clubs.
“It is the butterfly impact of decisions taken beyond our influence,” Masters said, noting that tight turnarounds between tournaments and league campaigns increase the risk of conflict with clubs.
Despite the challenges, the Premier League remains committed to its international growth strategy. Masters defended the Summer Series tournament in the United States, insisting it would return in 2027 despite some club concerns over central funding.
He pointed to its commercial success, particularly with NBC as a major broadcast partner. Global competition is also intensifying. Masters acknowledged the growing presence of the Saudi Pro League, which has attracted high-profile players and will host the 2034 World Cup.
Yet he expressed confidence in the Premier League’s enduring appeal. “As long as fans don’t know who is going to win, as long as there’s jeopardy, I’m very optimistic,” he said.
While the league continues to monitor player welfare and fixture balance, Masters reiterated that protecting domestic football remains the priority. “Since 1994 the Premier League has been 380 matches, 20 clubs,” he said. “We haven’t changed shape at all – and I don’t see that changing now.”
