The Premier League could see hydration breaks introduced during matches this season, though they will not become a standard feature of the competition, according to guidance issued by the league.
The concept gained widespread attention following its use at the World Cup earlier this year, where the breaks became a talking point for reasons beyond player welfare. Broadcasters benefited from the additional stoppages, which opened up further advertising slots and contributed to a sharp rise in television revenue during the tournament. However, the innovation also drew criticism for disrupting the flow of matches and for what many saw as another sign of football's growing commercialisation.
Despite the backlash, hydration breaks have continued to appear in English football since the World Cup concluded. They were a common sight during pre-season friendlies over the summer and also featured in several early-round Carabao Cup fixtures, particularly during a heatwave that gripped the UK in early August.
As the new Premier League campaign gets underway this week, starting with Coventry City's visit to Arsenal, the question of whether hydration breaks will be part of top-flight matches remains open. According to the guidelines, the decision will not be automatic or scheduled in advance. Instead, it will rest with the match referee, who will assess conditions on a game-by-game basis.
The key factor determining whether a break is called will be the temperature at kick-off. Guidance released in May specified that officials should consider implementing a drinks break if the temperature reaches or exceeds 30 degrees Celsius at the start of a match. In practice, this means the decision is likely to be discussed and agreed upon by both teams before the game begins, rather than being left as a spontaneous call during play.
This approach mirrors what was seen during the opening week of the Carabao Cup, when several first-round matches included a hydration break in one or both halves as temperatures soared across the country. Those instances demonstrated how the policy is likely to be applied in practice — reactive to weather conditions rather than built into the structure of every fixture.
For Premier League clubs and fans, this means hydration breaks are unlikely to become a fixture of matchday routine unless the country experiences another period of extreme heat during the season. Given the unpredictable nature of British weather, it remains uncertain how often, if at all, the breaks will be triggered once the campaign is fully underway.
The policy places significant responsibility on referees to judge conditions accurately and consult with both sides ahead of kick-off, ensuring player safety without unnecessarily interrupting the rhythm of matches. Critics of the concept argue that even occasional use could still affect the tempo of games, echoing concerns raised during the World Cup. Others maintain that player welfare, particularly during unusually hot spells, should take priority over concerns about flow or tradition.
As the season begins, all eyes will be on how officials handle the balance between these competing priorities. Should temperatures in England reach the specified threshold during any Premier League fixture this season, supporters could see the same brief pauses for hydration that became a notable feature of the World Cup and the early stages of domestic cup competitions this summer.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.