Premier League new rules 2026-27: substitutions, throw-ins, injuries and VAR changes explained

The 2026-27 Premier League season brought the biggest set of law changes in years. All of them were trialled at the summer's World Cup, and they share one aim: more time with the ball in play, without making stoppage time even longer.

Here is what has changed and how it works on the pitch.

Substitutions: ten seconds to get off

A player being substituted now has 10 seconds to leave the pitch, at the nearest point on the touchline. If he takes longer, his replacement cannot come on until one minute has passed and there is a stoppage in play — so the team plays with ten men in the meantime. The rule does not apply to injured players, or where leaving at the nearest point would be unsafe.

Throw-ins and goal kicks: the five-second countdown

When the referee thinks a team is deliberately delaying a throw-in or a goal kick, he can start a visible five-second countdown, counting down with one hand.

• If a throw-in is not taken in time, it goes to the other team from the same spot.
• If a goal kick is not taken in time, the opposition get a corner. Before this season, the only punishment was a yellow card.

Long throws are not banned — the countdown only starts when the referee judges the delay deliberate.

Injuries: one minute off the pitch

A player who receives treatment on the pitch must now stay off for one minute after play restarts, up from 30 seconds. A player who goes down and stops the referee restarting the game must also sit out for a minute, even without treatment. There is an exception when the opponent who caused the injury is booked or sent off: then the injured player can return straight away.

Goalkeeper treatment trial

For this season only, there is a trial to stop goalkeepers being used to break up the game. When a goalkeeper needs treatment, the head coach must choose an outfield player to leave the pitch for at least one minute. If the goalkeeper was fouled, or collided with an opponent who also needs treatment, the rule does not apply.

VAR: three new powers

1. Second yellow cards. VAR can now review a red card given for two bookings — but only when the second yellow is a clear and obvious error. A subjective judgement on a borderline yellow will not be overturned.
2. Fouls before set pieces. VAR can check a foul committed before a corner or free kick is taken, if it leads directly to a goal, a penalty or a card. A goal from a corner, for example, can be ruled out and the corner retaken.
3. Mistaken identity. VAR can correct errors such as a penalty awarded against the wrong team.

What stays the same

The Premier League's refereeing principles for 2026-27 largely continue last season's approach: a high bar for fouls (not every contact is a foul), a high bar for VAR to overturn the on-field decision, faster use of semi-automated offside technology, and a tougher line on time-wasting and on players' behaviour.

FAQ

Can a substitute come on if the player leaving takes more than 10 seconds? Not straight away. The substitute must wait one minute and then come on at the next stoppage.

What happens if a goal kick is delayed in 2026-27? The referee can count down from five. If the kick is not taken in time, the other team are awarded a corner.

Can VAR overturn a second yellow card? Yes, but only if the second yellow was clearly wrong — not when it was simply a close call.