3 Shocking Reasons Premier League Will Not Shrink to 18 Teams

The Premier League will not reduce in size from 20 to 18 clubs, despite mounting pressure from FIFA, congested football calendars, and a growing player welfare crisis.

League chief executive Richard Masters has pushed back strongly against the idea, warning that any forced reduction could threaten the very foundations of English domestic football.

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The 2025-26 season is set to be one of the most intense on record, beginning on August 15 and ending nearly 11 months later with the World Cup final on July 19 in the United States.

France's Ligue 1 already made the shift to 18 clubs for the 2023-24 season, and some argue the Premier League should follow suit. But Masters insists the Premier League must stand firm.

"I don't think we should be forced into that decision," Masters told BBC Sport.

"I am all for the growth of the game and the exciting competitions our clubs can participate in - but not at the expense of domestic football."

The first reason the Premier League will not be cut to 18 clubs is its consistency and structure, which has remained unchanged since 1994.

That year, the league was reduced from 22 to 20 clubs, creating the familiar 380-match season format that has since defined English football.

Masters believes this consistency has become part of the league’s global identity. Altering it, he argues, would erode the competitive integrity and historical rhythm that fans have come to expect.

The format offers clubs predictability and fairness in how the season unfolds, which is crucial in such a globally followed competition.

"Since 1994 the Premier League has been 380 matches, 20 clubs. We haven't changed shape at all," he said.

"Now we are starting to redesign our domestic calendar at the altar of European and global expansion."

A second major reason against reducing the number of teams is the belief that global football expansion—driven by FIFA and UEFA—should not dictate the structure of domestic leagues.

Masters voiced frustration over the way international and European bodies have expanded tournaments without properly consulting those most affected: the domestic leagues and their players.

The expanded 32-team Club World Cup and the 48-nation World Cup are examples of competitions that will consume more calendar space and force domestic bodies like the Premier League to adapt—not by choice, but necessity. But Masters says this approach is unsustainable.

"There has to be, at the top of the game, a proper dialogue between FIFA and all the stakeholders about how these things go forward," Masters said. "That has been sadly missing."

The third reason stems from growing concerns over player welfare. Manchester City midfielder Rodri has even suggested players could strike over the ever-increasing volume of games. But instead of cutting clubs from the league, Masters believes better scheduling and collaboration is the solution.

The Premier League has taken steps to improve fixture fairness, including limiting early Saturday kick-offs after European matches and easing Christmas congestion.

However, FIFA’s rigid tournament timelines often leave the league with little room to protect its own players adequately.

"When you finish a tournament in mid-July and have to provide the players with three weeks' break, there is only a week to go before the start of the season," said Masters. "It doesn't add up. It puts us in unnecessary conflict with our own clubs."

Despite challenges, Masters remains optimistic. The league continues to draw global audiences and maintain fierce competition.