The Premier League returns on Friday night – the opening game seeing defending champions Arsenal host Coventry City, with Palace returning to action away at Everton on Saturday (15:00).
Pierre Sage's first game in charge sees the Eagles visit the blue half of Merseyside for only our second visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
That kickstarts a nine-month odyssey that will end with a Sunday afternoon clash at home to Leeds United on Sunday, May 30th 2027.
But before we get ahead of ourselves let’s look at what new rules to watch out for in England’s top-flight this season.
One of the bigger changes in officiating games in the Premier League for the 2026/27 season comes around injured players who are forced to leave the field of play.
There are also changes around goalkeeper timeouts and potential VAR usage for second yellow cards. Here's a round-up of the main points.
When play is stopped for an injury, the player will be required to leave for at least one minute (an increase from the 30 seconds previously used by the Premier League).
A “five-second” countdown and restart reversal for clearly delaying throw-ins and goal-kicks. If the time limit is exceeded, the throw-in is awarded to the opposing team; for a goal-kick the opposing team are awarded a corner.
A “10-second” time limit for players to leave the field when substituted. If the time limit is exceeded, the substitute cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed.
A VAR review for when second yellow cards are awarded to a player resulting in a red card. Note this is only for when players are awarded a clearly wrong second yellow card.
VAR will not get involved to potentially give a second yellow card when one has not been awarded by the on-field referee.
A trial will take place for the 2026/27 season where if the game is stopped for a goalkeeper injury, the manager or head coach will have to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch immediately.
The nominated player has to stay off the pitch for at least one minute after the restart of play.
Pro Ref, the organisation that managers match officials for the Premier League, says the trial “is designed to address occasions where goalkeeper injuries have been used to disrupt momentum, slow the game down or create opportunities for tactical instruction”.
From this season, players will not be allowed to use towels when preparing for a throw-in.
Under the Premier League’s Multiball protocol, players will no longer be allowed to use towels to dry balls in preparation for taking a throw-in this season.
The use of towels is no longer permitted to make it fair and equal for both the home and away teams in matches and to encourage the flow of the game, minimising interruption.
Coventry, Ipswich and Hull join the Premier League party for 2026/27, replacing last season's relegated trio West Ham, Burnley and Wolves.
Palace have previously visited all three. However, the game at Coventry's CBS Arena will be our first visit in the top-flight.
Our last game at the venue saw Palace claim a 1-1 draw in March 2012, with Darren Ambrose on the scoresheet after scoring an early penalty.
The Eagles won on our last visit to Portman Road against Ipswich in December 2024, with Jean-Philippe Mateta getting the winner.
Our last Premier League trip to Hull City's MKM Stadium was a six-goal thriller. Palace rescued a point in a 3-3 draw after an 89th minute leveller from Fraizer Campbell.
Remember that very Palace fixture is added automatically to the Official Palace App, where we'll notify you of any fixture changes as soon as they happen.