Sign in Subscribe
Physically disabled persons

The English Football Calendar at Breaking Point

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The English football league season is notorious for its congested fixture schedule, with teams often playing multiple games in a short span. This year, Crystal Palace's daunting fixture pile-up, including four games in eight days, has highlighted the issue. The timing of the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal, scheduled for December 16, has been put in doubt, with the Football League (EFL) considering a rescheduling to December 23.

Key Takeaways:

  • Crystal Palace will play four games in eight days, including a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal, a Premier League match against Manchester City, and Uefa Conference League games against KuPS and a rematch against Elland Road.
  • The EFL is considering rescheduling the Carabao Cup quarter-final to December 23, which would force both teams to play twice in 48 hours.
  • Arsenal have already complained about their congested fixture schedule, which includes nine games in January last season, resulting in injuries to key players like Kai Havertz.
  • Fixture congestion is not a new phenomenon, with Manchester United playing four league games in eight days in 1991-92 and Liverpool playing five games in 11 days in 1966.
  • The Welsh Premier League has proposed a new calendar, with a reduced number of games, to alleviate fixture congestion, but it has been met with resistance from fans and players.
  • The expansion of European competitions has put further strain on the English football calendar, with teams playing more games in a shorter span.
  • The UEFA Champions League has expanded to 22 teams since 2012, and the Club World Cup is set to move to a two-year cycle, further increasing the burden on teams.
  • The FA Cup replays have been scrapped, and the involvement of the biggest clubs in the League Cup has been reduced, but the biggest clubs have expanded their European involvement, featuring in more competitions.
  • The scheduling of the Champions League and the issue of fixture congestion have been linked to the growing wealth and influence of the multi-billion-dollar industry that is elite football.

Statistics:

  • Crystal Palace will play 4 games in 8 days: Dec 14 (Manchester City), Dec 16 (Arsenal), Dec 18 (KuPS), and Dec 21 (Leeds United)
  • Arsenal will play 6 games in 19 days: Dec 16 (Crystal Palace), Dec 21 (Everton), Jan 1 (Bournemouth), Jan 11 (Manchester City), Jan 14 (Nottingham Forest), and Jan 18 (Brentford)
  • Manchester United played 4 games in 8 days in 1991-92 season
  • Liverpool played 5 games in 11 days in 1966 season
  • UEFA Champions League has expanded to 22 teams since 2012
  • Club World Cup is set to move to a two-year cycle

Sources:

  • "The Guardian", Oliver Glasner's quote on Crystal Palace's fixture pile-up
  • "The Telegraph", Kai Havertz's injury due to fixture congestion
  • "BBC Sport", Manchester United's 1991-92 season schedule
  • "The Guardian", Liverpool's 1966 season schedule
  • UEFA Champions League expansion plans
  • Club World Cup's two-year cycle plan
  • FA Cup replays scrapped
  • League Cup's reduced participation of big clubs

Read more