A winter break in English football has long been a hot topic for debate, but this season, there is no room in the calendar for one.
In fact, not since the 2023-24 has a break taken place in the top flight of English football and it is unlikely to return any time soon, particularly as the English iteration of it was effectively just one week off for players.
Why was there a Premier League mid-season break?
At the centre of this decision back in 2019 was player welfare.
At the top level, there is arguably too much football with rest periods and downtime dwindling. For players on the elite stage, a very demanding club season, often competing on four fronts, is followed by an international tournament then the pattern is repeated.
With the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada starting shortly after the end of the season, there is no time for a break this year.
When was the last Premier League winter break?
The last Premier League winter break took early in 2024, running from 15 January to 29 January.
A split schedule meant that following the FA Cup third round on the weekend of 6/7 January, Matchday 21 in the Premier League was played over two weeks.
Chelsea v Fulham – 13 January
Newcastle v Man City – 13 January
Everton v Aston Villa – 14 January
Man Utd v Spurs – 14 January
Burnley v Luton Town – 15 January
Arsenal v Crystal Palace – 20 January
Brentford v Nott'm Forest – 20 January
Sheff Utd v West Ham – 21 January
Bournemouth v Liverpool – 21 January
Brighton v Wolves – 22 January
In conjunction with the mid-season break, it was agreed with the Football Association that FA Cup fifth-round matches would be moved to midweek, with replays eradicated, to be replaced with extra time and penalties..
Is there a Championship winter break?
There is no Football League winter break.