Ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, several rule changes has been confirmed.
The following measures will be implemented following the amendments to the Laws of the Game by the International Football Association Board which was earlier this year.
The updates heavily target time wasting – a hopeful movement to keep the game fair.
What is the new rule for on-field treatment?
Usually, players who saw on-field treatment for injuries would remain off the pitch for 30 seconds.
For the upcoming season players will now have to endure 60 seconds off the pitch; a minimum time stamp.
Fans have argued:
‘Teams will go down to ten men for longer increasing chances to concede goals.’
This is a problem for teams who are fragile off the ball and teams who have a lot of injury prone players.
What is the changing rule on substitutions?
Subsituted players are now given a strict 10 seconds to leave the field, a huge leap from no time limit for a player leaving the pitch.
However, if the time limit is exceeded, the substitute player cannot enter the game until the first stoppage after one minute has passed.
How will restarts change heading into the new season?
A five second countdown has been announced for throw ins and goal kicks. If the time limit is exceeded, a restart reversal will occur. This means, for throw ins, possession is awarded to the opposing team. Similar events will follow for a goal kick where the opposition will be awarded a corner.
Is VAR affected by these rule changes?
An already controversial VAR has been hit by the rule changes coming into place for the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Previously, VAR was inhibited from intervening with second yellow card decisions.
Now, the technology is responsible to review when second yellow cards are awarded, resulting in a red card. This is only for when players are awarded a second yellow not for there being a potential second yellow card.
Over 47 decisions in the 2025/26 Premier League season were overturned, a fall in the 57 from 2024/25.
There were 25 VAR errors from the 2025/26 season.
What is the hairpulling sanction?
With clear and excessive force, this is a clear and straight red card offence. Without, this a yellow card offense.
How has challenges on goalkeepers, and holding offenses changed?
Previously, challenges on goalkeepers were often dismissed without aggressive, physical contact being made. Moving forward, there will now be a strict focus on attacking players who obstruct the goalkeeper with no intent to play the ball. A foul will be awarded in conclusion of a challenge.
A direct free kick or penalty can be awarded if a defender aims for a player instead of the ball. This means there will be enhanced on-field acknowledgement of holding actions having impact on the attacker.
