Premier League and EFL to pause play briefly for Ramadan hydration breaks
The Premier League and English Football League will reintroduce short stoppages during matches for the month of Ramadan so Muslim players and match officials can break their fast. The practice, first trialled in 2021, will be used again this season with clubs and officials agreeing an approximate time for any pause ahead of kick-off.
When and where pauses are likely
Ramadan begins this week and runs for about a month. With sunset in the UK falling roughly between 12: 00 and 14: 00 Eastern Time (ET) during the period, the fixtures most likely to include a stoppage are Saturday evening kick-offs and late-afternoon Sunday games. Specifically, the Saturday 5: 30 p. m. kick-offs in the UK will fall around 12: 30 p. m. ET, while the Sunday 4: 30 p. m. kick-offs align with about 11: 30 a. m. ET — the windows when players may need to break their fast.
Teams and match officials will meet before each relevant fixture to discuss whether a brief pause is required and to agree an approximate moment for a stoppage. The intention is to select a natural break in play such as a goal-kick, free-kick or throw-in; play will not be halted while the ball is in active movement.
How the breaks will be managed on matchday
Captains and referees will identify the earliest convenient opportunity to pause proceedings. The stoppage is strictly for hydration and quick nutritional replenishment — energy gels and fluids — and is not to be used as a team drinks break or a tactical timeout. Officials will look for a lull in play so that the interruption is as minimal as possible and does not affect the flow unfairly.
This approach follows earlier implementations in which teams accommodated players' religious needs while preserving the integrity of the fixture. In 2021 a match was paused at a goal-kick to allow players from the two sides to take on fluids and energy supplements before play resumed. Clubs have prepared practical measures around training and catering to support their Muslim players during Ramadan, including adjusted training schedules and tailored meal timing.
Player welfare and club support
Clubs have increasingly incorporated Ramadan planning into their season routines. Players have described arrangements such as later meals for away trips, specially prepared halal options and tweaks to training loads to help manage energy levels during the fasting period. One former top-flight midfielder reflected on how the league environment allows players to observe their faith while competing at the highest level, saying that fasting had become manageable and that clubs offered practical support to maintain performance.
High-profile Muslim players across the divisions are among those who may make use of the in-game break. The measure is positioned as a short-term, targeted accommodation for a religious observance that affects elite athletes worldwide.
League officials and clubs will monitor the process throughout the month and are expected to continue refining the on-field protocol in consultation with players and referees to ensure the balance between religious observance and competitive fairness is maintained.
