Is there a winter break in the 2023-24 Premier League? When is it? How does it work?

Unlike most leagues across Europe and indeed further afield, the Premier League keeps going throughout Christmas and New Year, as dictated by tradition. This season, between Thursday 21 December and Tuesday 2 January, there are only two days with no scheduled English top-flight fixtures - Christmas Day and Friday 29 December, with matches programmed for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Players and coaches complaining about there being too many games at the elite level is nothing new, and never is the schedule busier than England than over the festive period. But fear not, worn-out Premier League stars, respite is just around the corner.

When was the winter break introduced? How long will clubs have off?

For just the second time ever, there will be a winter break in 2023-24, which will see clubs have at least a 10-day period without a game. The pause first occurred in the 2019-20 season, when one matchday was split across two weekends in February 2020, allowing each of the 20 teams to have a weekend off. The break will follow the same format this season.

After matchday 20, which starts on Saturday 30 December and ends on Tuesday 2 January, Premier League clubs will take part in the third round of the FA Cup, which will take place between Thursday 4 January and Monday 8 January.

Matchday 21 will then be played over two different weekends, with 10 teams playing on 13-15 January and the other 10 on 20-22 January.

The fourth round of the FA Cup, for clubs that qualify, will then be held on the weekend of Saturday 27 January, with the Premier League back with a midweek round starting on Tuesday 30 January.

When do the Premier League’s top clubs have a break?

Villa, City, Spurs, United and Newcastle are among 10 teams who could have a longer break if they are beaten in the third round of the FA Cup.

Premier League and Fantasy Premier League matchday 21 fixture schedule