The Premier League faces a fresh bout of fixture chaos this weekend as the Met Office issues severe yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across the UK. Several high-profile matches are now under threat of being postponed, echoing historic disruptions caused by Britain's infamous winter weather.
Historic Winter Postponements: A Look Back
While not all delays are snow-related, the Premier League has a long history of weather-induced cancellations. The most dramatic instance remains The Big Freeze of January 2010. In a single weekend, a blanket of heavy snow across the country led to the postponement of seven out of ten scheduled top-flight matches.
The affected fixtures that fateful weekend were extensive and included clashes such as Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City vs Chelsea. They were joined by five other cancelled games: Burnley vs Stoke City, Fulham vs Portsmouth, Sunderland vs Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic vs Aston Villa, and West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers. An Arsenal match against Bolton had also been called off earlier that same week.
Memorable Modern Snow-Offs
More recently, the November 2021 meeting between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur was dramatically abandoned due to snow. Despite tireless efforts from ground staff to clear the pitch, the snowfall intensified just before kick-off, forcing the referee to prioritise player safety and call the match off.
Extreme conditions have caused postponements beyond just snow. In December 2013, dangerously high winds led to the cancellation of Everton vs Crystal Palace and Manchester City vs Sunderland, both of which were eventually played two months later. Last season, the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park was called off following a Safety Advisory Group decision, which cited risks from high winds and ice in the areas surrounding the stadium for travelling fans.
This Weekend's Fixtures Under Threat
The current Met Office warnings have put a number of this weekend's Premier League fixtures in serious doubt. Manchester United's trip to face Leeds United at Elland Road is among the games most likely to be impacted by the forecasted conditions.
Sunday's schedule is also at high risk. Manchester City's evening showdown with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium could face disruption, while the two 3pm kick-offs are similarly in jeopardy. Snow in the North East may affect Newcastle United's home game against Crystal Palace at St James' Park, and Everton's match with Brentford at Goodison Park is also under scrutiny.
Fans are advised to check with their clubs and the Premier League for official updates as the weekend approaches, with safety remaining the paramount concern for officials when making any final decisions.
