Premier League clubs have been handed key dates ahead of the 2021/2022 season, with the big kick-off scheduled for August 14.
But whether Newcastle United will still be there to play their part remains up in the air.
The Magpies have nine games left to save their Premier League status, and are currently two points ahead of 18th-placed Fulham with a game in hand.
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, this season had a delayed start following an interrupted campaign that saw Liverpool crowned champions for the first time since the division was rebranded in 1992.
Of course, Jordan Henderson lifted the trophy at an empty Anfield last summer as supporters have been forced to watch the majority of this season from the comfort of their own homes.
With the UK set to embark on its roadmap out of lockdown, though, fans could soon get to watch their clubs in action once again.
And that hint of normality is set to return to the football schedule, too.
Having watched Liverpool and Leeds United kick-off 2020/2021 in style courtesy of a 4-3 thriller at Anfield on Saturday, September 12, next season’s curtain raiser will see a more familiar mid-August start.
Indeed, clubs will begin their 2021/2022 campaign on Saturday, August 14, with the final day pencilled in for Saturday, May 22.
Of course, all of those games will kick-off at the same time.
However, given the tight turnaround this summer, due in part to a delayed finish to 2020/2021 and the rescheduled Euro 2020 championships, there could be an impact for players and clubs further down the line.
Indeed, there are just 34 days between the European final at Wembley Stadium - on Sunday, July 11 - and the opening day of the Premier League season.
Factor in the following 2022 World Cup in Qatar and it represents an action-packed two years for the sport’s biggest names.
Before then, though, there are a number of key issues domestically to be ironed out, such as promotion and relegation, and who will join champions elect Manchester City in the top-four places ahead of next season.
