English football gets major rule shake-up for 2026-27 season

A raft of new rules aimed at speeding up matches and curbing deliberate time-wasting will come into force across English football from the 2026-27 season.

The changes will apply across most levels of the English game, beginning with the English Football League (EFL) this week and the Community Shield clash between Arsenal and Manchester City on Sunday, before extending to the Premier League and lower-level competitions. The changes related to VAR will not apply uniformly across all levels.

One of the key changes introduces countdowns for goal kicks and throw-ins to prevent players from deliberately delaying restarts. The five-second countdown will not begin immediately when the ball goes out. Instead, referees will assess deliberate attempts to delay the restart, such as placing the ball away from the designated spot or passing it to a teammate.

Substitutions will also be subject to stricter time limits. A player being replaced must leave through the nearest point of the pitch within 10 seconds. If the player fails to do so, the incoming substitute will have to wait at least one minute before entering, leaving the team temporarily with 10 players.

The rules on injuries have also been tightened. Players who require treatment after a stoppage will now generally have to remain off the pitch for at least one minute if a team physiotherapist enters the field. Moreover, any player whose actions cause the referee to stop play for an injury-related issue must leave the field, whether or not treatment is ultimately required.

Goalkeeper injury stoppages will bring another significant change. If a goalkeeper receives treatment, the coach must nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch for one minute. The fourth official will give the team 10 seconds to identify the player. If no player is nominated within that period, the captain will be required to make the decision.

There will also be changes to VAR protocols, although fewer than those being introduced for the World Cup. VAR will be allowed to review a second-yellow-card decision when it results in a player being sent off after receiving two cautions. However, it will not intervene simply to determine whether a second yellow should have been issued unless the decision meets the threshold for a clear error.

A new trial will also allow VAR to review certain attacking fouls committed before a set-piece is taken if the incident directly leads to a goal, penalty or disciplinary action. If a foul is confirmed before a corner has been put into play, the corner will be retaken rather than replaced by a free kick.

However, a defensive foul committed before a corner or other set-piece is played cannot result in a penalty, meaning VAR will not intervene to award one in such circumstances.

The changes are part of a broader effort to reduce unnecessary stoppages and keep the ball in play for longer across English football.