Premier League time wasting rules 2026/27: What has changed this season?

THE Premier League is back for what promises to be an exciting 2026/27 season. And with the new campaign come new rules, with the majority of changes this year focused on reducing time-wasting. The Premier League’s 2026/27 season is underway Credit: AFP And the IFAB have implemented a set of new rules to cut down on time-wasting Credit: Shutterstock Editorial But exactly what will be different about this season? What are the new Premier League time-wasting rules? This summer‘s 2026 World Cup set an impressive example in regard to cutting down on time-wasting in football. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! During the North American tournament, the ball was in play for an average of 60.43% of a match, a significant increase from the previous tournament’s 56.86% at Qatar 2022. And as a result of this success, the Premier League has decided to implement some of the key rules that were put in place at the summer tournament. Delays of throw-ins and goal-kicks There is now a five-second time limit for throw-ins, with the ball being turned over to the opposition if the countdown is broken. But this rule change will not apply to long throws, as they are considered set-piece routines. There is now a five-second timer on throw-ins, with the throw being awarded to the other team if it hasn’t been taken in that time Credit: Getty The same countdown applies to goal-kicks, with a corner set to be awarded to the other team if the goalie takes too long Credit: Getty This five-second countdown also applies to goalkeepers taking goal-kicks; a corner will be awarded to the opposite team if the timer reaches zero. Injured players who go off A player who causes a stoppage in play after going down “injured” now has to leave the pitch for a full minute – double the amount of time that was required last season. Most read in Football This rule will be brought into play regardless of whether or not that player receives treatment, but will not apply if the player was fouled and the offending player has been carded for the offence. If a goalkeeper receives treatment from a physio (unless they are fouled or are bleeding), their manager will have 10 seconds to nominate an outfield player to go off for a minute in their place. An outfield player will have to go off for a minute if a team’s goalkeeper receives treatment Credit: Shutterstock Editorial If a manager can’t nominate an outfield player within 10 seconds, the captain will be forced to leave the pitch for the minute Credit: Getty If the manager fails to inform the fourth official of their chosen player within that time, the captain will by default be forced to leave the pitch for 60 seconds. Time limits for substitutions Substituted players can no longer delay leaving the pitch in order to waste time, or their team will suffer as a consequence. If they take longer than 10 seconds, the player waiting to be subbed on will have to wait a full minute before being able to enter the action, leaving their side momentarily down to 10 men. Kicking the ball during a goal kick In the past, we’ve seen instances of players handling the ball during a goal-kick routine. With the new rules in place, that will now almost certainly result in a penalty, with ref chiefs clarifying that any kick of the ball during a goal-kick will be treated as having taken the kick. Comment now