The 2025/26 Premier League season kicks off this weekend, beginning under the lights at Anfield on Friday, August 15, when defending champions Liverpool host Bournemouth.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has announced the referees, assistant referees, fourth officials, and VAR teams for Matchweek 1, according to a release dated August 11 and retrieved by our correspondent on Tuesday.
After last season’s heated debates over VAR calls and touchline controversies, the spotlight will once again be on officiating standards. PGMOL will be hoping for a smooth start as a mix of experienced and up-and-coming referees take charge of the opening fixtures.
Matchweek 1 Appointments
Friday, 15 August
Liverpool vs Bournemouth – 20:00
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Craig Taylor
Fourth official: Farai Hallam
VAR: Michael Oliver
Assistant VAR: Thomas Bramall
Saturday, 16 August
Aston Villa vs Newcastle United – 12:30
Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Nick Hopton
Fourth official: Simon Hooper
VAR: Peter Bankes
Assistant VAR: Tim Robinson
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham – 15:00
Referee: Sam Barrott
Assistants: Tim Wood, Wade Smith
Fourth official: Tom Bramall
VAR: Matt Donohue
Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan
Sunderland vs West Ham United – 15:00
Referee: Robert Jones
Assistants: Nick Greenhalgh, Mat Wilkes
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor
VAR: Stuart Attwell
Assistant VAR: Natalie Aspinall
Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley – 15:00
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring
Fourth official: Adam Herczeg
VAR: Neil Davies
Assistant VAR: John Brooks
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City – 17:30
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistants: Scott Ledger, Marc Perry
Fourth official: David Webb
VAR: Michael Salisbury
Assistant VAR: Richard West
Sunday, 17 August
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford – 14:00
Referee: Peter Bankes
Assistants: Eddie Smart, Blake Antrobus
Fourth official: Craig Pawson
VAR: Andy Madley
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – 14:00
Referee: Darren England
Assistants: Ian Hussin, Akil Howson
Fourth official: Michael Salisbury
VAR: James Bell
Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn
Manchester United vs Arsenal – 16:30
Referee: Simon Hooper
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long
Fourth official: Jarred Gillett
VAR: Paul Tierney
Assistant VAR: Steve Meredith
Monday, 18 August
Leeds United vs Everton – 20:00
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Assistants: Dan Cook, Lee Betts
Fourth official: Andrew Kitchen
VAR: John Brooks
Assistant VAR: Simon Bennett
