New premier league season to begin on September 12

The new Premier League campaign will commence on September 12 after a virtual meeting between clubs confirmed the calendar.

But following the agreement between all 20 shareholder clubs, the new fixture list is set to be unveiled just weeks before the action restarts.

Sportsmail had previously reported that those involved in the top flight were focused on agreeing a prompt start to the new campaign.

Despite the confusion over how the dates will unfold over the next few months, it was confirmed the final match round of the campaign will take place on May 23.

Many within football had initially called for the next season to be pushed back to ensure the current term can be completed amid the uncertainty stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

But there was no appetite from the Premier League over a lengthy pause, and officials remained aware of the need to ensure the new fixtures line up with leagues across the rest of Europe.

THE KEY DATES

July 26 – Premier League season ends

August 1 – FA Cup final

August 5-8 – UEFA last 16, second legs

August 10-15 – UEFA quarter-finals

August 16-19 – UEFA semi-finals

August 21 – UEFA Europa League final

August 23 – UEFA Champions League final

August 30 – Community Shield

September 3-8 – Nations League

September 12 – New Premier League and EFL season to begin

It has been suggested top flight teams agreed the fixture list should be published by August 21, roughly three weeks from the now confirmed start date.

But the full extent of the congested schedule will not be laid bare until at least after the Championship play-off final.

The Premier League has also confirmed it will continue to thrash out the scheduling for the domestic competitions with the FA and EFL.

Clubs were widely expected to give the green light for September 12, which has remained their favoured start date.

The new EFL campaign will also commence on the same day – with the bottom three tiers to be rounded off on May 8 and 9. The play-off final fixtures will then revert back to the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of the same month.

It is also believed the Community Shield will be held at Wembley on August 30.

The first international break to take place since November will then see players jet off around the world – just a matter of weeks before the top flight recommences.