By Atoyebi Nike
The 2025/26 English Premier League season kicks off this Friday, August 15, with defending champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth in the opening fixture at Anfield. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has released the full list of referees, assistants, fourth officials, and VAR teams for Matchweek 1, as published on its website on August 11.
The season begins amid renewed scrutiny of officiating standards following last year’s VAR controversies.
Matchweek 1 Fixtures and Officials
Friday, August 15
Liverpool vs Bournemouth 20:00
Ref: Anthony Taylor | Assistants: Gary Beswick, Craig Taylor | 4th Official: Farai Hallam | VAR: Michael Oliver | AVAR: Thomas Bramall
Saturday, August 16
Aston Villa vs Newcastle United 12:30
Ref: Craig Pawson | Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Nick Hopton | 4th: Simon Hooper | VAR: Peter Bankes | AVAR: Tim Robinson
Brighton vs Fulham 15:00
Ref: Sam Barrott | Assistants: Tim Wood, Wade Smith | 4th: Tom Bramall | VAR: Matt Donohue | AVAR: Dan Robathan
Sunderland vs West Ham15:00
Ref: Robert Jones | Assistants: Nick Greenhalgh, Mat Wilkes | 4th: Anthony Taylor | VAR: Stuart Attwell | AVAR: Natalie Aspinall
Tottenham vs Burnley 15:00
Ref: Michael Oliver | Assistants: Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring | 4th: Adam Herczeg | VAR: Neil Davies | AVAR: John Brooks
Wolves vs Man City 17:30
Ref: Jarred Gillett | Assistants: Scott Ledger, Marc Perry | 4th: David Webb | VAR: Michael Salisbury | AVAR: Richard West
Sunday, August 17
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford 14:00
Ref: Peter Bankes | Assistants: Eddie Smart, Blake Antrobus | 4th: Craig Pawson | VAR: Andy Madley | AVAR: Sian Massey-Ellis
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace 14:00
Ref: Darren England | Assistants: Ian Hussin, Akil Howson | 4th: Michael Salisbury | VAR: James Bell | AVAR: Adam Nunn
Man United vs Arsenal 16:30
Ref: Simon Hooper | Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long | 4th: Jarred Gillett | VAR: Paul Tierney | AVAR: Steve Meredith
Monday, August 18: Leeds United vs Everton 20:00
     Ref: Chris Kavanagh | Assistants: Dan Cook, Lee Betts | 4th: Andrew Kitchen | VAR: John Brooks | AVAR:       Simon Bennett
