Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has definitively ruled out reducing the top-flight division from 20 to 18 clubs, despite mounting pressure over an increasingly congested football calendar and growing tensions with FIFA. This firm stance comes as the football world grapples with player welfare concerns and an ever-expanding tournament schedule that threatens the very fabric of domestic football.
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Masters Takes Defiant Stand Against Calendar Pressure
Amid disagreements with the world football governing body FIFA over the crowded international schedule, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has stated that the league will not cut from 20 to 18 clubs. Speaking to BBC Sport, Masters was unequivocal in his position: “I don’t believe we need to be compelled to make that choice.”
The English Premier League’s current 20-team format has remained unchanged since the 1995-96 season, when it was reduced from 22 clubs. Masters is right when he says the Premier League hasn’t changed since it cut its number from 22 to 20 clubs for the 1994–95 season. However, the modern football landscape presents unprecedented challenges that didn’t exist three decades ago.
The Calendar Congestion Crisis
The top-flight season starts on August 15 and lasts for 11 months; moreover, with the World Cup next year, football action will culminate on July 19 in the United States with the World Cup final. This creates an almost year-round football schedule that leaves little time for player recovery.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025, featured 32 teams and saw Chelsea defeat Paris Saint-Germain 3–0 in the final. The 2025-26 season will begin only two weeks after the last round of Summer Series games and three weeks after Chelsea defeated Paris St-Germain to win the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Impact on Premier League Clubs
The calendar congestion has immediate consequences for English Premier League clubs. The most recent controversy has focused on Chelsea and City, who, considering their summertime efforts, both desired a postponement of their first game for the new season. However, since this was turned down, Chelsea will play Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge precisely five weeks after defeating PSG at MetLife Stadium.
Player Welfare Concerns Reach Breaking Point
The mounting pressure on players has reached critical levels. Last year, Rodri, a midfielder for Manchester City, implied that players are on the verge of going on strike due to the increased number of games. The players’ union FIFPRO and FIFA have long been at a point of contention over player burnout.
Players and other organisations continue to raise their voices against FIFA for their congested schedule. The situation has become so severe that strike action is no longer an idle threat but a genuine consideration for professional footballers struggling with the physical and mental demands of an ever-expanding fixture list.
International Precedent: France’s Bold Move
The Premier League’s stance contrasts sharply with decisions made elsewhere in European football. For the 2023–24 season, France’s Ligue 1 saw a reduction from 20 to 18 teams. This move was specifically designed to address calendar congestion and improve player welfare, yet Masters remains unconvinced that such drastic measures are necessary for the English Premier League.
FIFA’s Expansion Plans Add Fuel to Fire
The situation is further complicated by FIFA’s ambitious expansion plans. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to include 48 teams, expanded from 32. In regards to the introduction of the enlarged 32-team Club World Cup or the upcoming World Cup, which is scheduled to be the first to involve 48 countries, Masters agrees with the player’s union that FIFA has not adequately consulted everyone involved in the game.
UEFA Competition Changes Impact Domestic Football
The ripple effects of international competition expansion are already being felt in domestic football. The extension of all three club competitions by UEFA last season was the primary cause of the elimination of FA Cup replays and the requirement that the Carabao Cup third round be spread over two midweeks in September.
These changes demonstrate how international football’s expansion directly impacts domestic competitions, forcing modifications that compromise traditional tournament structures and further strain an already packed calendar.
Financial Implications and League Structure
| Current Format | Proposed Reduction | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 20 teams | 18 teams | 4 fewer teams |
| 38 matchdays | 34 matchdays | 4 fewer matchdays |
| 380 total matches | 306 total matches | 74 fewer matches |
| Current revenue model | Reduced fixture revenue | Significant financial impact |
The financial implications of reducing the Premier League to 18 clubs would be substantial. Fewer matches mean reduced television revenue, stadium income, and matchday earnings – factors that likely influence Masters’ resolute position against such changes.
The Global Calendar Comparison
| League | Teams | Season Duration | Recent Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 20 | August-May | No reduction planned |
| Ligue 1 | 18 | August-May | Reduced from 20 (2023-24) |
| Bundesliga | 18 | August-May | Stable format |
| Serie A | 20 | August-May | No changes |
| La Liga | 20 | August-May | No changes |
Looking Ahead: The 2025-26 Season Challenge
Why does the 2025-26 season seem congested? The ending of the 2024-25 season was extended by the Club World Cup, thus leaving almost no time to rest before next season. While the 2026 World Cup will make it harder for players to relax towards the end, even next year. So the calendar seems congested.
The upcoming season represents a perfect storm of scheduling conflicts, with international tournaments bookending what should be the traditional off-season period. This creates unprecedented challenges for player welfare and domestic league integrity.
Masters’ Vision for Premier League Future
Richard Masters’ stance reflects a broader philosophy about the Premier League’s identity and competitive structure. His refusal to bow to external pressure suggests confidence in the league’s current format and a belief that other solutions can address calendar congestion without compromising the competition’s integrity.
The CEO’s position also demonstrates the Premier League’s significant bargaining power in global football politics. As one of the world’s most valuable football competitions, the English Premier League can afford to resist changes that other leagues might feel compelled to accept.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has confirmed that the league has no plans to reduce its number of clubs from 20 to 18, despite growing concerns over fixture congestion and mounting tension with FIFA over the increasingly packed international calendar. This decision sets the Premier League on a collision course with FIFA and player unions, while establishing the English Premier League as a defender of domestic football tradition.
The battle over calendar congestion and league structure represents a fundamental question about football’s future: Will domestic leagues bend to international pressure, or will they stand firm in protecting their historical formats? Masters’ stance suggests the Premier League, at least, has chosen its side in this ongoing conflict.
Read More: Alejandro Garnacho Eyes Chelsea Move Amid Summer Transfer Shuffle
FAQs
Will the Premier League reduce from 20 to 18 teams?
No, Premier League CEO Richard Masters has categorically ruled out reducing the league from 20 to 18 clubs, stating “I don’t believe we need to be compelled to make that choice.”
Why are players considering strike action over fixture congestion?
Manchester City midfielder Rodri indicated players are on the verge of striking due to the increased number of games, with concerns about player burnout and insufficient rest periods between competitions.
How does the expanded FIFA Club World Cup affect the Premier League calendar?
The 32-team Club World Cup, which concluded in July 2025, leaves only weeks before the new Premier League season begins, creating unprecedented scheduling pressure for participating clubs.
Which European league has already reduced its team count?
France’s Ligue 1 reduced from 20 to 18 teams for the 2023-24 season specifically to address calendar congestion, but the Premier League has rejected following this precedent.
What impact will the 48-team World Cup have on the football calendar?
The expanded 2026 World Cup will extend the tournament duration and create additional scheduling conflicts, further compressing the traditional off-season period for players and clubs.
