The 2026-27 Premier League season is set to introduce several new rules, following measures trialed at the World Cup. These changes affect substitutions, goal kicks, throw-ins, injuries, goalkeepers, and VAR.
Substitution Rules Tightened
From this year, substituted players have 10 seconds to leave the pitch and must exit at the nearest possible point. Failure to do so results in the player being held back for a minute, forcing his team to play with 10 men for that period. Exceptions apply if the player is injured or if their security is at risk.
Countdowns at Restarts
Goal kicks and throw-ins now feature five-second countdowns to curb time-wasting. The countdown is triggered only if a delaying tactic is spotted, such as leaving the ball for a teammate or fetching a different ball. The referee signals the start with a whistle and counts with their arm; a player counted out concedes the throw. Long throw-ins are exempt as set pieces. Goalkeepers at goal kicks face a corner if they exceed the time.
Injury and Goalkeeper Measures
Players treated on the pitch must now remain off the field for a full minute, up from 30 seconds. This also applies if the ball goes out after a player goes down. The exception is if a foul is committed and the offender is booked or sent off, allowing the injured player to stay on.
To prevent goalkeepers using treatment as a tactical timeout, if a goalkeeper requests physio, an outfield teammate must leave the pitch for 60 seconds. The team has 10 seconds to communicate who is making way to the fourth official; breaching this forfeits the captain for the minute.
VAR Changes
VAR can now review second bookable offences leading to a sending off, but only for clear errors, not split decisions. At set pieces, VAR can review fouls committed before the delivery if the routine results in a goal, penalty, or card; a corner would be retaken rather than a free kick awarded. Fouls by the defending team before the ball is in play cannot be reviewed, as no penalty can be awarded. VAR can also correct mistaken identity but cannot overturn wrong corner decisions. Red cards for players covering their mouths in confrontation will not be reviewed.
