PGMOL Confirms Referees for Premier League Opening Weekend as Liverpool Host Bournemouth Curtain-Raiser
The 2025/26 English Premier League season officially kicks off this weekend, with defending champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth under the Anfield lights on Friday, August 15.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has released the full officiating appointments for Matchweek 1, detailing the referees, assistants, fourth officials, and VAR teams assigned to each fixture. The announcement, dated August 11, was accessed via the PGMOL website on Tuesday.
With a new season comes heightened attention on refereeing standards, following last season’s intense scrutiny over VAR controversies and touchline incidents. The PGMOL will be eager to ensure a smooth start to the campaign as both seasoned officials and emerging referees take centre stage.
Here are the confirmed officiating teams for each opening weekend match:
Friday, August 15
Liverpool vs Bournemouth – 20:00
- Referee: Anthony Taylor
- Assistants: Gary Beswick, Craig Taylor
- Fourth Official: Farai Hallam
- VAR: Michael Oliver
- Assistant VAR: Thomas Bramall
Saturday, August 16
Aston Villa vs Newcastle United – 12:30
- Referee: Craig Pawson
- Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Nick Hopton
- Fourth Official: Simon Hooper
- VAR: Peter Bankes
- Assistant VAR: Tim Robinson
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham – 15:00
- Referee: Sam Barrott
- Assistants: Tim Wood, Wade Smith
- Fourth Official: Tom Bramall
- VAR: Matt Donohue
- Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan
Sunderland vs West Ham United – 15:00
- Referee: Robert Jones
- Assistants: Nick Greenhalgh, Mat Wilkes
- Fourth Official: Anthony Taylor
- VAR: Stuart Attwell
- Assistant VAR: Natalie Aspinall
Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley – 15:00
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- Assistants: Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring
- VAR: Neil Davies
- Assistant VAR: John Brooks
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City – 17:30
- Referee: Jarred Gillett
- Assistants: Scott Ledger, Marc Perry
- Fourth Official: David Webb
- VAR: Michael Salisbury
Sunday, August 17
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford – 14:00
- Referee: Peter Bankes
- Assistants: Eddie Smart, Blake Antrobus
- Fourth Official: Craig Pawson
- VAR: Andy Madley
- Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – 14:00
- Referee: Darren England
- Assistants: Ian Hussin, Akil Howson
- Fourth Official: Michael Salisbury
- VAR: James Bell
- Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn
Manchester United vs Arsenal – 16:30
- Referee: Simon Hooper
- Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long
- Fourth Official: Jarred Gillett
- VAR: Paul Tierney
- Assistant VAR: Steve Meredith
Monday, August 18
Leeds United vs Everton – 20:00
- Referee: Chris Kavanagh
- Assistants: Dan Cook, Lee Betts
- Fourth Official: Andrew Kitchen
- VAR: John Brooks
- Assistant VAR: Simon Bennett
