A Guide to the 2021 Premier League

After England’s sweltering success and final defeat in the Euros this summer, regular Premier League football is back, with stands once again at full capacity after a long period of COVID-related disruptions and restrictions. 

It’s the perfect time to get excited and even catch a match in person again. We’ve put together this helpful guide to the 2021-22 Premier League season, covering the basics and which teams to watch as well as tips on how to get to the stadiums and find Premier League matchday parking. Read on to learn more.

What You Need to Know About the 2021 Premier League

If you’re new to football, welcome. While there’s a lot of technical talk to pick up, don’t be intimidated – it’s easy to get into the swing of things and once you do you’ll be hooked in no time, poring over detailed stats and game line-ups.

How does the tournament work?

First, some basic information about the 2021-22 Premier League: 

• The season runs from 13 August 2021 to 22 May 2022
• 380 matches will be played in total 
• 20 teams will compete, including the top 17 from the previous season and three brought in from the Championship 

The teams compete for points. Three are awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a defeat. The team with the most points at the end of the season wins and is crowned the champion for another year. 

When two clubs have the same number of points, their placement is determined by goal difference, then number of goals scored. If there’s still no winner, they’re awarded the same position. This makes the tournament especially exciting, as every goal matters.

Who are the teams to watch?

Any Premier League fan will be going into the 2021-22 season with their own favourite team and their own collection of hopes and dreams – but it’s still worth keeping an eye on those teams predicted to perform well.

Only two teams have been really successful in recent years: 

• Manchester City are the defending champions, having won in 2020-21. They also took home the title in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
• Liverpool won in 2019-20, beating Man City by 18 points.

While Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal make up the all-time top three, of these only Liverpool has recently emerged victorious. 

Unsurprisingly, Man City is the clear favourite among bookmakers, with most expecting them to follow up on their impressive run last season, where they won an exceptional 15 games in a row. 

Still, the outcome is far from settled and Arsenal and Chelsea fans are both hoping that some expensive signings over the summer can turn their fortunes around. 

How to Get to a Match 

The Premier League really earns its name in terms of popularity: it’s the most-watched league on the planet, with one billion homes tuning in from 188 countries all around the world. 

Any of the games will be very easy to watch from home, no matter where you are – but for those based in or travelling to England, there’s an opportunity to be a part of the excitement on match day. Wherever you are in the country, there’s sure to be a stadium within easy reach. 

The top Premier League stadiums include: 

• Emirates Stadium, London – Arsenal 

• Old Trafford, Manchester – Manchester United
• St James’ Park, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne – Newcastle United 

While arrangements differ for each stadium, there are some basic tips you should keep in mind when planning to see a Premier League match in person. 

Firstly, keep an eye out for special matchday coaches. These are set up specifically for fans and can provide an absolutely electric atmosphere well before kickoff, all while ensuring you’re dropped off right at the gate. 

Secondly, get to know the public transport around the stadium. Most of London’s stadiums are easily accessible through the city’s tube, bus and rail networks. If you don’t mind public transport, it can be a great way to get to the game. 

Thirdly, be smart about parking. Parking at the stadium itself can often be extortionate and is sometimes enough to put people off driving entirely. But don’t despair – with companies like Stashbee providing nearby on-street parking at affordable rates, you can dodge the costs of stadium parking and drive to and from the game in peace and comfort.

We hope this article has helped get you excited for the 2021-22 Premier League season. Whether you’ve been following football for years or have never watched a game before, now is the perfect time to get into the excitement of the world’s top football tournament. 

Most importantly, make sure to get out and see a game in person if you can – with good public transport and a variety of parking options, there’s no reason to miss out on the unique spectacle.