Premier League looks to introduce winter break before 2022

The Premier League could introduce a winter break before 2022 after it emerged that they warned broadcasters about a potential change in schedule.

Both the Premier League and the FA are keen to bring schedules in England in line with the rest of the top European leagues, and the prospect of a winter break is referenced in tender documents for potential broadcast partners.

The results of the sale of the domestic TV rights between 2019 and 2022 will be announced next week.

Broadcasters — including Sky Sports and BT Sport, who both want to retain their existing live rights — have been told a winter break could be introduced after the FA Cup third round, which takes place on the first weekend of January.

The number of televised games will also be increasing to 200 matches per season.

This is not a new topic for the Premier League, FA and EFL, but this reference in tender documents is the first real suggestion it could be introduced soon.

A statement from the Premier League read: 'The Premier League has been in discussions with the FA and EFL for several months regarding the challenges of the increasingly congested English football calendar, and ways in which we can work together to ease fixture congestion while also giving players a mid-season break.

'Provided space can be found in the calendar, we are open to this in principle and will continue constructive discussions with our football stakeholders to seek a workable solution.'

The FA have also mentioned the potential for a winter break in its own TV contracts and has put clauses in place allowing it to eliminate one round of replays in the FA Cup with only a minor financial penalty.

A break of two weekends for the top flight is the ideal solution for all three parties, although no agreement is yet in place.

Both the Premier League and the EFL are keen that the FA Cup is rebranded as a mid-week competition, but that is unlikely due to the FA's obligations in its £820m overseas TV deal.

The EFL could drop a League Cup semi-final leg while the FA would be willing to sacrifice a round of replays.