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The 2025/2026 English Premier League season kicks off this weekend, promising fresh drama, fierce competition, and, inevitably, debates over refereeing decisions.
Naija News reports that the defending champions Liverpool will open the Premier League campaign under the Anfield lights on Friday, August 15, hosting Bournemouth in what’s expected to be a charged curtain-raiser.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has now confirmed the officials who will oversee Matchweek 1, with some of the league’s most experienced referees, and a few rising names, taking charge.
Anthony Taylor will referee the season opener on Merseyside, assisted by Gary Beswick and Craig Taylor. Michael Oliver heads the VAR team, supported by Thomas Bramall.
The action continues on Saturday, with Aston Villa hosting Newcastle United in the early kick-off, where Craig Pawson will be the man in the middle.
Other fixtures see Sam Barrott handle Brighton vs Fulham, Robert Jones officiate Sunderland vs West Ham, Michael Oliver take Tottenham vs Burnley, and Jarred Gillett oversee Wolves’ clash with Manchester City in the evening slot.
Sunday’s headline fixture is Manchester United vs Arsenal at Old Trafford, refereed by Simon Hooper, with Paul Tierney on VAR duty. Chelsea face Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge, while Nottingham Forest host Brentford.
The first round concludes on Monday night as Leeds United welcome Everton at Elland Road, with Chris Kavanagh in charge.
Below is the full list of referees, their assistants, and VAR teams for Premier League Matchweek 1 of the 2025/26 season:
Friday, 15 August 2025
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 2025
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 2025
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 2025
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
The post Premier League 2025/2026 Season Kicks Off Friday: Referee Appointments For Opening Fixtures Announced appeared first on Naija News.
