It’s been a long, dreary slog for football fans over the past ten weeks. There have been bigger things to worry about, certainly, but a lack of football hasn’t been easy. But that’s all about to change.
Following the Bundesliga’s return in May, other leagues around Europe have announced their own return dates. Here, we break it all down in chronological order, from La Liga to the FA Cup Final and into next season. Calendars at the ready …
June 11 – La Liga restarts
Magnifico! Spanish football is the first of Europe’s major leagues to restart since the Bundesliga on May 16. La Liga kicks off with a derby between Real Betis and Sevilla.
The Derbi Sevillano will start at 9pm (GMT) on Thursday June 11, and will be followed by a full weekend of fixtures. Other key games to look out for include another local derby between Valencia and city rivals Levante on June 12, league leader’s Barcelona’s trip to Mallorca on June 13 and Real Madrid at home against Eibar on Sunday June 14.
June 17 – Premier League restarts
Splendid! England’s top flight returns on Wednesday June 17 with two games: Manchester City versus Arsenal and Aston Villa versus Sheffield United. Kick-off times are yet to be announced. These four teams have a game in hand over the rest of the Premier League, hence the head-start.
The first full game week will start on Friday 19 June.
June 20 – Serie A and Championship restart
Belissimo! Italian football makes its return on Saturday June 20 with two matches: Parma versus Torino at 6:30pm and Verona versus Cagliari at 8:45pm. Inter Milan, Atalanta, AC Milan and Juventus are all also in action across the weekend. The league will then continue playing games almost every day until the season’s end.
The Championship is also set to restart on Saturday June 20, according to organisers. Exact schedules aren’t yet available with a number of clubs – including QPR and Charlton – unhappy about the decision to continue play. There’s a chance this could yet be pushed back.
June 26 – FA Cup restarts
The FA Cup is next up with the competition at the quarterfinal stage. The FA have announced games will be played across the weekend, with some teams playing on Saturday 26 and the rest on Sunday 27 – who plays when is yet to be confirmed. The final eight looks like this:
Newcastle vs Manchester City
Sheffield vs Arsenal
Leicester vs Chelsea
Norwich vs Manchester United
July 18 – FA Cup semi-finals
The final four will be thrashed out between those that advance a few weeks later. Games are pencilled in for the weekend beginning Saturday, July 18.
July 21-22 – Championship final day
The final round of fixtures of England’s second tier begin on Tuesday, 21 July and continue on the Wednesday. Then there’s the small matter of the playoffs …
July 25 – Premier League final day
Two months after it was originally due to end, the lockdown-affected Premier League will finish on Saturday July 25. Exact kick-off times aren’t yet known but we can assume, as ever, all games will start at the same time, so as to avoid any underhand tactics from those involved at the top and bottom.
Pencil this in for a socially-distanced drink in the park, Liverpool fans …
August 1 – FA Cup Final and Scottish Premier League restart
At last, England’s premier cup competition will crown a winner in – this seems utterly mad – August. The game will still likely be played at Wembley Stadium, though fans aren’t expected to be in attendance. It will be a very strange day for the old cup, indeed.
As one competition ends, another begins. Scottish football isn’t due to continue this season, with organisers focused on the next campaign instead. As things stand, this, too, will take place on Saturday August 1.
August 2/3 – Championship playoff final (provisional)
The third and final new participant in next season’s Premier League will be decided – most likely at an empty Wembley Stadium – probably on either August 2 or 3. For obvious reasons, those involved and the exact kick-off time have yet to be announced.
August 7 – Champions League and Europa League resume (provisional)
Remember these? It seems like a lifetime ago European football was even a consideration but UEFA have confirmed these will go ahead. How it will work is still a mystery but we can safely assume fans will still be unable to attend.
We are still at the last-16 stage, with several teams unable to complete their second leg back in March. This includes Manchester City’s clash with Real Madrid and Chelsea’s trip to Bayern Munich.
These dates are still provisional, with UEFA meeting to confirm dates on June 17.
August 18-22 – Champions League and Europa League semis
The final four of both competitions will take place over a four day period at the end of August, around the same time a new Premier League campaign would usually be starting. With those involved not yet confirmed, kick off times and venues are TBC until further notice.
August 29 – Champions League final
The champions of Europe will be probably crowned on August 29. The final had originally been scheduled for Istanbul but UEFA is now exploring alternative options. There will then be only 14 days until a new season begins …
September 12 – start of the 2020-21 season in England (provisional)
While not yet officially confirmed, reports suggest the new season will get underway in England on September 12, not only in the Premier League but also the lower leagues. It is unlikely fans will be in attendance.