EPL: Referees, VAR teams announced for matchweek one
Premier League
English Premier League action for the 2025/26 football season kicks off this weekend, beginning on Friday, August 15, 2025, with the defending champions Liverpool welcoming Bournemouth under the lights at Anfield.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited has confirmed the referees, assistant referees, fourth officials, and VAR teams for Match week 1.
This is according to a release dated August 11, and retrieved by our correspondent on its website on Tuesday.
With a fresh season comes renewed scrutiny on officiating standards, especially after last year’s heated debates over VAR calls and touchline controversies.
The PGMOL will be hoping for a smooth start as experienced names and rising referees take charge in the curtain-raiser fixtures.
Here’s the complete list of who will be in charge of each opening fixture:
Friday, 15 August
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, 16 August
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
Fourth official: Adam Herczeg
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
Assistant VAR: Richard West
Sunday, 17 August
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, 18 August
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
