How Ground Sharing Works in the Premier League

Ground sharing is a practical arrangement where two football clubs use the same stadium for their home matches. In the Premier League, this is rare but possible, and the league's structure accommodates it without altering the core rules of competition. The key is that each club still plays 38 matches per season (19 home, 19 away), and the league fixture computer ensures no two home games clash at the same venue.

The mechanism

The Premier League operates a 38-match season for each of its 20 clubs. That means 380 matches in total, with every club facing each other twice -- once at home, once away. When two clubs share a ground, the league's fixture scheduling must prevent both from being assigned a home match on the same day. This is handled by the same algorithm that manages all other fixture conflicts, such as TV broadcast picks or cup commitments.

Points and relegation are unaffected by ground sharing. Three points for a win, one for a draw, and the bottom three clubs are relegated to the Championship. The tiebreakers remain the same: points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head record. If a ground-sharing club finishes in a relegation spot, they drop down regardless of stadium arrangements.

Squad rules also hold. Each club must register a 25-player squad for players over 21, with at least eight homegrown players. Under-21s are exempt. The same substitution rules apply: five substitutes per match, made in a maximum of three windows plus half-time. Ground sharing does not change these regulations.

European qualification follows the standard path. The top four clubs go to the Champions League league phase. Fifth place and the FA Cup winner enter the Europa League. The League Cup winner gets a Conference League play-off spot. If cup winners have already qualified via league position, the place is passed down. Ground sharing has no bearing on these allocations.

History and evolution

The Premier League was founded on 20 February 1992, when First Division clubs broke away to negotiate their own broadcast deals. The first season in 1992/93 had 22 clubs, reduced to 20 in 1995/96. Ground sharing has been a feature of English football long before that, but within the Premier League era it has been used mostly as a temporary solution when a club's stadium is being rebuilt or upgraded.

For example, Manchester City and Manchester United both played at Old Trafford in the 1940s, though not in the Premier League. More recently, Tottenham Hotspur shared Wembley Stadium during the construction of their new ground. The Premier League's fixture computer handled those matches without issue, scheduling home games on alternate dates or at different times.

Ground sharing can also be a long-term arrangement. In other leagues, clubs share stadiums permanently, but in the Premier League it is more common as a short-term fix. The league's commercial and broadcast demands make it harder to maintain a permanent share, but the rules allow it.

Edge cases

When two clubs share a ground, the most obvious edge case is a clash of home fixtures. The Premier League schedules 380 matches across 38 matchweeks, so each club has 19 home matches. If both clubs need to play at home on the same weekend, one match is moved to a different day or time. This can impact TV schedules, but the league accommodates it.

Cup competitions add another layer. If one club is drawn at home in the FA Cup or League Cup on the same day the other club has a Premier League home match, a reschedule is needed. The same applies to European competitions. The Premier League's rules do not override cup fixtures, so coordination is required.

Relegation and promotion also create complications. If a ground-sharing club is relegated, the Championship club that replaces it may have different stadium requirements. The shared ground might still be used, but the Premier League's promotion rules (two automatic spots, one via play-off) remain unchanged.

Another edge case involves the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) scoring. Ground sharing does not affect individual player points. FPL uses a 15-player squad, 11 starters, and a £100.0m budget. Goals, assists, clean sheets, and bonus points are awarded based on match performance, not stadium. A goalkeeper or defender scores 6 points for a goal, 4 for a clean sheet, and loses -1 for every two goals conceded. Midfielders get 5 goals, 1 clean sheet. Forwards get 4 goals. Captain scores double. The ground itself has no impact on these numbers.

FAQ

Can two Premier League clubs share a stadium permanently? Technically yes, as long as the league's fixture scheduling can avoid home match clashes. The Premier League has no rule against permanent ground sharing, but commercial and logistical factors make it rare.

Does ground sharing affect relegation? No. Relegation is determined by points, goal difference, and goals scored. The bottom three clubs are relegated regardless of stadium arrangements. The same applies to promotion from the Championship.

How does ground sharing affect European qualification? It does not. European spots are earned through league position and cup wins. The top four go to the Champions League, fifth and FA Cup winner to the Europa League, and League Cup winner to the Conference League. Ground sharing has no bearing.

Are there any restrictions on squad registration when sharing a ground? No. The 25-player squad rule with eight homegrown players applies to every club. Under-21s are free. The ground shared does not change registration rules.

Key takeaways

• Ground sharing is allowed in the Premier League, with the fixture computer ensuring no two home matches clash at the same stadium.
• The league's 38-match schedule, points system, and relegation rules apply equally to all clubs, regardless of ground sharing.
• European qualification and squad registration rules remain unchanged under ground sharing.
• Edge cases include fixture clashes with cup competitions and the need for rescheduling, but the Premier League accommodates them.
• Fantasy Premier League scoring is unaffected by ground sharing; all player points are based on match performance.