In these #COVID 2021 times, we’re late in the summer with 3+ weeks of the premier league season to go, and another month of Champions League action to enjoy.
That means a few more weeks of following the extended 2019-2020 campaign. And as of this writing, there’s a ton of questions. Who stays up? Who finds their way to Europe? And who’s coming to the EPL. We’ll have a look below at the ways these developments may impact an epic travel trip in the coming campaign.
Who Stays Up?
As of this writing, Norwich City has made the ultimate fall through the moon door. May they find peace and that frenetic, energetic pace that made them a Championship juggernaut last year.
Bournemouth, West Ham, Watford, and Aston Villa are fighting to stay alive. For the EPL traveler — only the relegation of West Ham would be a major loss to a multiple match adventure. Both Bournemouth and Watford have small, sold-out grounds that are impossible-ish to get into. Villa is a bit far afield, so you’d have to be really trying to get out there for a match.
West Ham’s location in London makes it viable as part of an EPL adventure, though it’s really only suited to those who like their malls near their football grounds. A bit of a Patriot Place vibe, if you will.
We wish the best for all who fight to stay in the top flight. But, their survival will make little impact on your possible match day adventures.
Who’s Headed to (Minor) Europe?
Here’s where things get fun! Teams in the Europa League end up in a permanent Thursday-Sunday rota during the stages of group play. That has a big impact on TV selections and Sunday match scheduling across the board in the early part of the season. Plus, if you happen to be close to one of these sides, you might be able to squeeze in a visit on the front end of your trip.
If ‘tis Spurs, or Arsenal even, it makes for an interesting North London bookend, especially if the EPL schedule lets you catch them both in the same weekend (I know, this is pure, loyal supporter heresy, but a lot of fun).
If it’s Leicester, Wolves, or Sheffield United — diving in is the makings of a big adventure, one you’ll have to really structure your trip around (and fight for tickets among those who are stoked for Europe.)
Who’s Headed to Proper Europe?
Fighting for Champions League spots is a big highlight. And those fixture dates in the group stages can also have an impact on where and how matches are scheduled.
For Liverpool and Manchester City, it’s in the bag, and tickets will be hard to get, as usual, City has a big ground vs. fanbase, so chances of seeing a CL match there are a little better. Should Chelsea or Manchester United make the cut, there’s probably an opportunity to get in should the lesser of the group stage matchups fall into your travel plans. Should Leicester, Wolves, or Sheffield slide into the picture, you’re making specific plans to be there mid-week. Which means you love a good adventure, and shelling out for premium, hospitality seats.
That’s not to say it wouldn’t be worth it to see a (possibly) famous European match mid-week, but you’ll have to make it a star of your trip, and spend some extra days in country to make it happen.
The impact of the Champions League draw is always an element of planning a fall trip. For starters, waiting until the group stages are drawn is super important — as further months of EPL TV movement are heavily influenced by when and where the CL matches are scheduled. And once you get into the later group stages — combined with the festive period — there are interesting opportunities to make an epic run. Want to see 5 matches in 7 days? You can do it if you play the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas the right way. This is a highly, highly unlikely to play out with the schedule this year, but it’s amazing fun to plan and dream about.
Who’s Coming to the EPL?
There are three more weeks of Championship action, and it’s a nail-biter. If you spent any of your quarantine watching All or Nothing: Leeds United on Amazon Prime Video, your heart aches for Leeds supporters and any possibility that they might trip and fall over themselves again this season and blow a chance at automatic promotion.
Leeds is a big side with a big support that can’t wait to be back in the big time. It will make for some interesting match days and ticket possibilities (or lack thereof).
Brentford and Fulham are two other sides with big intrigue for possible spots in the top flight. Brentford has a new stadium opening next year, and marking that occasion in the big time will be amazing. Fulham are undertaking a big renovation at Craven Cottage, which would be carrying on through the 2021-2022 campaign and make for a tough ticket. If either make it up, you’ll get a fair number of interesting matchups and possibilities for your ticketing.
Both Brentford and Fulham make for interesting pairings in the home/away situation. Chelsea and Fulham would never have home dates on the same weekend. It will be interesting to see who Brentford would pair with (Palace, maybe?) as the public services and police forces balance their responsibilities on a given weekend.
If West Brom snags an automatic bid, the EPL gains a famous side that’s out there. You’ve gotta mean to be headed that direction. Same with the occasion if Nottingham Forest, Cardiff, or Millwall find their way through the playoff gauntlet — a trio of interesting places to make a visit (interesting might not be a strong enough word for Millwall …).
Timing for the 20/21 schedule announcements?
Usually, the dates for an upcoming EPL season are confirmed well in advance, like this setting of critical dates in February 2020. (my, my how long ago that seems). Reports are that the season will start back in late August, or just after the international break in early September — so a fixture list announcement won’t trail the end of the season by too long.
The Champions League stages are setup, from a date perspective. This year’s setup will start slightly later than usual, but will generally finish up at the same time as always. CL match days will bunch up in late October through mid-December. A fine time to make some travel (if that’s a thing). Same with the Europa League. All dates set. Only time will tell if the matches are behind closed doors.
What’s the travel prognosis?
The prospects of overseas travel for Americans gets worse and worse by the day. Our general inability to buckle in and make sacrifices to squish this virus will haunt us through the rest of the summer, into the back to school period and throughout a muted and morbid run to the new year. Proper prospects for travel are dreary at best. We’ll approach the upcoming weeks through a #NormalTimes lens, and play #FantasyFutbolTravel instead.