The 2021-22 Premier League season will begin on the weekend of August 14 after a request from clubs to begin on that date was granted.
After a condensed 2020-21 campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league announced it will revert to its usual starting slot in the second week of August.
Initially, Premier League chiefs had been eyeing the weekend of August 7 to begin the season.
But clubs believed it was crucial to have the extra week, enabling players a longer break after the end of the European Championships - which only finishes on July 11.
There was also the necessity to keep in mind the current jam-packed campaign, which has had 'free' dates and was compressed following the extension of last season following the initial Covid lockdown.
The league has duly acquiesced to that demand and informed club bosses at Thursday's latest shareholders' meeting.
The season will conclude on 22 May 2022, with all 10 games kicking off simultaneously.
Pushing back a week also means there is no overlap with the beginning of the EFL season.
The Football League have already confirmed that that will get underway on Friday August 6.
Moving the Premier League back a week ensures there will be at least 33 days - should it kick off on Friday August 13 - between its beginning and the Euro 2020 final.
What will be interesting to see now however, particularly in light of their requests to delay the campaign, is what clubs do in terms of pre-season.
Clubs lost out on potentially lucrative tours in 2020 amid the pandemic, and while the situation is far from certain, some have privately hoped to be able to potentially tour again should circumstances allow - as unlikely as that may seem at present.
The current season is due to end on May 23, with the Euros getting underway on June 11.
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.
