FULL LIST: Referees, VAR teams confirmed for Premier League Matchweek 1, 2025/26

The English Premier League roars back into action this weekend, with defending champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth under the lights at Anfield on Friday, August 15, 2025. Ahead of the curtain-raiser, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has confirmed the referees, assistant referees, fourth officials, and VAR teams that will oversee Matchweek 1.

The announcement, published on August 11, comes with extra scrutiny on officiating standards following last season’s intense debates around VAR decisions and touchline controversies. PGMOL will be keen to deliver a smooth start with a mix of seasoned referees and rising officials in charge of the first fixtures.

Matchweek 1 Referee Appointments

Here’s the complete list of referees and VAR officials for the opening round of the Premier League 2025/26 season:

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

Related Article: 2025/26 FIXTURES RELEASED: Manchester United to host Arsenal in 2025/26 Premier League opener

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

Spotlight on Matchweek 1

The Premier League opener at Anfield will see Anthony Taylor in charge of Liverpool vs Bournemouth, with Michael Oliver on VAR duty. The weekend’s headline fixture, Manchester United vs Arsenal at Old Trafford, will be officiated by Simon Hooper, with Paul Tierney leading the VAR team.

With the world watching, the pressure is on referees and VAR teams to deliver consistency and clarity from the first whistle.

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