Premier League introduce nine new rules for 2026/27 season including more VAR

The new Premier League season will see the introduction of nine new rules aimed at improving the spectacle. Many of the guidelines aim to reduce time-wasting, while some will see an increased use of technology.

Many were successfully deployed at the World Cup, which saw a marked increase in the time the ball was in play. At the tournament in North America, the ball was in play for just over an hour on average, compared to just under 57 minutes at Qatar 2022.

While many of the new rules will be welcomed, some may be met with trepidation as they will mean an increased use of VAR, which remains a source of frustration for many fans.

Ahead of the 2026/27 season opener between champions Arsenal and newly-promoted Coventry City, here's a round-up of the new regulations.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

Throw-ins: Throws not taken within five seconds will be awarded to the other side. However, that won't apply to long throws which are regarded as set-piece routines.

Goal-kicks: Keepers have also been given a five-second limit. If the kick isn't taken within that time, the referee will have the power to award a corner to the attacking side.

Players going down: If a player randomly drops to the ground, stopping play, they must leave the pitch even if they are not seen by a physio. However, the rule will not be enforced if the player has been fouled and the offending player has been carded.

Substitutions: Substituted players can no longer trudge off the pitch at a snail's pace. Now, they must get off within 10 seconds. If they don't, the player replacing them will have to wait a minute before entering the fray.

Goalkeeper timeout: The sight of keepers randomly hitting the deck to burn up seconds has also been combatted. Now, if a keeper is seen by a physio, the manager will have 10 seconds to nominate a player to go off for a minute. If he doesn't decide within 10 seconds, the caption will automatically go off for 60 seconds. The rule won't be enforced if the keeper has been fouled or is bleeding.

Handball from a goal-kick: The rules around handball during a goal-kick routine have been tidied up. Now, any kick of the ball during a goal-kick will be regarded as the kick being taken. Therefore, should any player touch the ball, a penalty will automatically be awarded.

Second yellow cards: As we saw at the World Cup, VAR can now be deployed to assess second yellow cards that have been awarded. However, the technology won't be used for potential second bookings that haven't been shown.

Set-piece goals: VAR will also be used to review whether a foul has been committed before the set-piece was taken. If a foul is spotted, the goal will be ruled out and the set-piece retaken.

Mistaken identity: VAR can now intervene to ensure the right player is punished for an offence. It won't be applied as it was at the World Cup, where Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was punished for a dive after the USA was initially booked for a foul. In the Premier League, it must be for the same offence, potentially in the case of a mix-up amid a crowded box.