EPL: Full List of 2026/27 International Breaks, Dates and Fixtures

• The Premier League international break runs through November 17, with league matches scheduled to return on November 21. Here is why the calendar changed.

Premier League football has paused for the second international break of the 2026/27 season, allowing players to join their national teams for competitive fixtures and friendly matches.

The November window follows Matchweek 10, with international matches scheduled through November 17. Premier League action is scheduled to resume on Saturday, November 21.

The pause is the second of three international windows during the league campaign, following changes that combined the September and October breaks into one extended period.

Why has the Premier League stopped?

The Premier League schedules its fixtures around international windows so players can travel to national team camps, take part in matches and return to their clubs.

During these designated periods, clubs release players for international duty, and the league pauses its programme.

The November window includes UEFA Nations League fixtures, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals and international friendlies.

European national teams are scheduled to play twice during the break, while African countries will compete in AFCON qualifiers. The United States, Mexico and other qualified teams will feature in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals.

South American and Asian countries are expected to play friendly matches.

When will Premier League matches return?

Premier League fixtures are scheduled to resume on Saturday, November 21, after the international programme concludes on November 17.

The gap gives players time to return from national team duty before the next round of club matches.

Why were the September and October breaks combined?

In previous seasons, the calendar generally included separate international breaks in September, October, November and March. Each window usually lasted nine days and allowed national teams to play two matches.

For the 2026/27 campaign, the September and October windows were merged into a single 16-day period, running from September 21 to October 6.

National teams played four matches during that extended window.

The Premier League paused after Matchweek 5 on September 20 and resumed with Matchweek 6 on October 10.

The adjustment followed a decision unanimously approved by the FIFA Council in 2023. Player welfare was among the considerations, alongside reducing the disruption associated with repeated travel between clubs and national teams.

The change reduced the number of international interruptions between the start of the league season and the end of the calendar year from three to two.

When is the next international break?

The final international window of the 2026/27 Premier League season is scheduled for March 22 to 30, 2027, between Matchweeks 30 and 31.

The March programme will include the start of UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying for some European countries and UEFA Nations League knockout fixtures.

Those Nations League matches include League A quarter-finals and play-offs involving teams from Leagues A, B and C.

African countries will continue their AFCON qualification campaigns, while the CONCACAF Nations League finals will also take place during the window.

Asian and South American countries are expected to arrange friendly matches.

Why can international breaks feel longer?

The dates of an international window do not always match the full gap between Premier League fixtures.

Players may finish their national team commitments during the week but have to wait until the following weekend for their next league appearance.

The Premier League also avoids scheduling Monday-night matches immediately before an international break and Friday-night fixtures immediately after one.

These arrangements provide additional time for players to travel and prepare for their next commitments.

The revised international calendar is expected to remain in place until at least 2030.