Next February will see the first ever Premier League winter break
The Premier League will introduce a mid-season break for players for the first time in its history during next season.
An agreement reached by the Football Association, Premier League and the English Football League will see a two-week break built into the season in February.
The move is designed to help England players to rest ahead of major tournaments in the summer, and it is hoped the first of these breaks will prove beneficial for the Three Lions ahead of the European Championships in a year’s time.
The break will last for two weeks though matches for Premier League clubs are set to be staggered over two weekends between February 8 and February 15.
Ten teams will be playing during the first of those weekends, followed by the other 10 teams playing a week later. This will allow all clubs to have a 14-day break from football.
All clubs are able to go away on warm weather training camps during this break, but have not been permitted to take part in any money-making tours.
Of all major European leagues, the Premier League is the last to introduce a winter break. Though the likes of the Bundesliga hold their break around the Christmas period, it was decided to introduce a break in England during February to avoid disrupting the traditionally busy Festive fixture list.
