Cup interrupting the season, it will be a unique schedule, with some teams having tougher fixtures than others. Here's an in-depth overview of the 2023/24 Premier League fixtures and what they mean for each club.
How are the Premier League fixtures decided?
Putting together the Premier League schedule every season is quite the process! It starts when the Premier League sends the match dates to Atos, the tech company that has organized fixtures for 30 years. Atos has to work around international FIFA dates, European competitions, the FA Cup - squeezing league and League Cup games into the dates left over.
In March, clubs submit forms with any special requests, such as dates for specific home or away matches. Once the teams are set, each club goes into a pairing grid that maps out their home dates. The fixture computer then randomly mixes up the data to create the schedule. Clubs never begin or end the season with two home or away games in a row - that would be unfair!
Travel is also considered so teams aren't zigzagging across the country. Though sometimes the Monday night matches don't seem to care as much about fan travel. Those games are chosen by the broadcasters!
Local rivals like Man City and Man United won't play home matches at the same time. It's more difficult in London with so many teams. When complete, the Premier League, Football League, and Atos review the list to ensure everything looks good. And that's how the Premier League fixture list comes together each season! Complex but someone has to organize the schedule.