Premier League Winter Break: Details, Fixtures and how it works

After the unique December World Cup in 2022, the Premier League winter break returns in the 2023-24 season.

Unlike the other seasonal breaks around Europe’s top leagues, the English top-flight teams split the time off at different stages of January.

In this article, we run you through all the details and how the Premier League winter break works.

When is the Premier League winter break?

The winter break starts in the Premier League on Wednesday 3rd January, and the next full round of league fixtures takes place from Tuesday 30th January.

Gameweek 21 is split over two weekends, with five matches taking place on the weekend from Friday 12th January and then five more matches on the weekend of 20th January.

Burnley, Luton, Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Fulham, Everton, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Tottenham will all play during the first split of matches.

Meanwhile, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Sheffield United, Liverpool, West Ham, Bournemouth, Brighton and Wolves will play their games on the second week of the break.

Who will benefit the most from the break?

Despite no full Premier League week until late January, some teams will still have other matches to play during that period, with FA Cup and EFL Cup action planned.

No fewer than seven Premier League teams face FA Cup third round replays – Wolves, Everton, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Luton, West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, three teams are facing two-legged EFL Cup semi-finals with Chelsea, Liverpool and Fulham trying to win a place at Wembley.

So the team with the longest period of time without a game are Brighton, who look set to have a 16-day break, while Bournemouth and Sheffield United will each enjoy 15 days off – during a period when players are also away at the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup.

Gameweek 21 – First Week Fixtures

• Friday 12th January – Burnley v Luton (7:45) 
• Saturday 13th January – Chelsea v Fulham (12:30) 
• Saturday 13th January – Newcastle v Man City (5:30) 
• Sunday 14th January – Everton v Aston Villa (2:00) 
• Sunday 14th January – Man Utd v Tottenham (4:30)

Gameweek 21 – Second Week Fixtures

• Saturday 20th January - Arsenal v Crystal Palace (12:30) 
• Saturday 20th January – Brentford v Nottingham Forest (5:30) 
• Sunday 21st January – Sheffield United v West Ham (2:00) 
• Sunday 21st January – Bournemouth v Liverpool (4:30) 
• Monday 22nd January – Brighton v Wolves (7:45)

Which Cup matches take place during the winter break?

• EFL Cup semi-final 1st Leg – Tuesday 9th January – Middlesbrough v Chelsea (8:00) 
• EFL Cup semi-final 1st Leg – Wednesday 10th January – Liverpool v Fulham (8:00) 
• FA Cup 3rd Round Replay – Tuesday 16th January – Wolves v Brentford (7:30) 
• FA Cup 3rd Round Replay – Tuesday 16th January – Blackpool v Nottingham Forest (7:45) 
• FA Cup 3rd Round Replay – Tuesday 16th January – Bolton v Luton (7:45) 
• FA Cup 3rd Round Replay – Tuesday 16th January – Bristol City v West Ham (7:45) 
• FA Cup 3rd Round Replay – Wednesday 17th January – Everton v Crystal Palace (7:45) 
• EFL Cup semi-final 2nd Leg – Tuesday 23rd January - Chelsea v Middlesbrough (8:00) 
• EFL Cup semi-final 2nd Leg – Wednesday 24th January – Fulham v Liverpool (8:00) 
• FA Cup 4th Round – Weekend of 27th and 28th January