All Premier League 2025/26 Season Rule Changes: What’s New, What’s Banned, and the Set-Piece Rule
- The Premier League are set to introduce six new rules ahead of the 2025/26 football season
- Arsenal could lose more points after the Premier League introduced a new set-piece rule aimed a reducing grappling
- The new league season kicks off this Friday with defending champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth
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The Premier League returns for the 2025/26 season, and Liverpool will begin the defence of their title against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday night.
The Reds have been tipped by many as favourites to retain their crown, but not without competition from Four-peat champions Manchester City, three-times runners-up Arsenal, and dark horses in Chelsea and Manchester United.
Source: Getty Images
As fans get ready to enjoy the new campaign in England, the Premier League has introduced six new rules to make the game more exciting and thrilling this season, Daily Express reports.
From a crackdown on grappling at set-pieces to a strict time limit for goalkeepers, players, coaches, and fans alike will need to adapt quickly.
Here, Legit.ng has highlighted all the new rules that will be implemented in the Premier League this season.
6 new Premier League rules this season
1. Crackdown on grappling at set-pieces
One of the biggest changes for 2025/26 is a stricter enforcement of holding offences during set-pieces.
Following feedback from Premier League captains, referees have been instructed to penalise situations where defenders or attackers impede an opponent’s movement during corner kicks or free-kicks through excessive contact, Sky Sports reports.
The assessment criteria include: sustained or impactful holding, clear effect on the opponent’s chance to play the ball, and actions that ignore the ball entirely.
Source: Getty Images
If a player focuses solely on their opponent and not the ball, expect the whistle to blow. While mutual holding may still be overlooked, VAR will assist in reviewing incidents and confirming penalty decisions.
2. The eight-second rule
Another notable change is the eight-second rule for goalkeepers.
Once in control of the ball, keepers now have a maximum of eight seconds to release it.
Control is defined as holding the ball between the hands or arms, balancing it on an open palm, and bouncing or tossing it while in possession.
Referees will signal the countdown, raising an arm for the final five seconds. If the time is exceeded, the opposition will be awarded a corner kick, taken from the nearest side of the pitch.
3. Captains only rule
To reduce crowding and dissent, only the team captain will be permitted to approach the referee for clarification on major decisions.
Officials will use visual cues, such as pointing to an imaginary armband, to signal this. Captains are expected to calm their teammates and keep interactions respectful.
4. Double touch at penalties
If a player accidentally hits the ball twice during a penalty kick, it will either be retaken (if scored) or result in an indirect free kick (if missed).
Deliberate double touches always result in an indirect free kick.
5. Dropped ball restarts
If play stops in the penalty area, the ball is dropped to the goalkeeper. Outside the area, it goes to the team most likely to have had possession.
6. Inadvertent interference
Accidental disruptions from substitutes or staff will now restart with an indirect free kick. Deliberate interference may lead to penalties and cards.
The Premier League’s latest changes aim to make the game faster, fairer, and less chaotic.
With referees under clear instructions and VAR on standby, these tweaks could significantly impact how matches are played and decided this season.
Ferdinand predicts Premier League winners
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand have boldly predicted the winner of the 2025/26 English Premier League.
The 2025/26 Premier League will kick off this weekend, with 20-time winners Liverpool trading tackles with Bournemouth on Friday night, August 15.
Source: Legit.ng
