The 2023/2024 English Premier League season will return to normal with its mid-season break having been affected first by the Covid-19 pandemic and its knock-on impact, and then by last year’s World Cup break.
And the mid-season break returns, with teams given a clear weekend in January. That break is set to be staggered, with some teams given the second weekend of the new year off, and others the third.
Luton’s return to the top flight completes a remarkable resurgence; in 2013, they opened their season in the Conference Premier – now the National League – with a defeat at Southport.
Ten years on, the Hatters – who defeated Coventry in the Championship play-off final – will welcome Burnley to Kenilworth Road for their first Premier League home game on 19 August.
Work is taking place on the ground, which has a capacity of 10,356, to meet Premier League requirements.
Notable games at Kenilworth Road include Tottenham (7 October), Liverpool (4 November), Arsenal (5 December), Manchester City (9 December), Chelsea (30 December) and Manchester United (17 February).
Manchester City finished 2022-23 five points ahead of nearest rivals Arsenal, who start next season at home to Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta’s side will host the first north London derby of the season against Tottenham on 23 September, with the return fixture on 27 April.
Liverpool’s opener at Chelsea follows a request to the Premier League to start the season away from home, because of ongoing works to expand the Anfield Road Stand.
Jurgen Klopp’s side host Bournemouth in their first home match on 19 August. Everton visit Anfield for the first Merseyside derby on 21 October, then host the Reds on 16 March.
New Liverpool signing Alexis Mac Allister returns to Brighton, who have agreed to sign Reds player James Milner, on 7 October.
The first Manchester derby of the season is at Old Trafford on 28 October, with City hosting United at Etihad Stadium on 2 March.
