Premier League clubs can join an unapproved competition only with the board's prior written approval. Without that approval, five separate acts breach the rules, from signing any form of agreement to simply announcing an intention to take part.
What the rule does
The rule reaches much earlier than the first match. A club, its officials and its directors are all caught by the same restriction, whether the act is done directly or indirectly. The board's prior written approval is not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, but the approval still has to come first.
The scope is wider than a full competition. It also covers a match or a series of matches that the league has not approved. If something is outside the approved group, the route is an application under Appendix 13 rather than action first and permission later.
Competitions already approved
These competitions are already approved by name.
- UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Europa League
- UEFA Conference League
- UEFA Super Cup
- FIFA Club World Cup
- FA Cup
- FA Community Shield
- EFL Cup
Anything outside that named group is not approved by default. For any other competition, match or series of matches, approved status exists only if the board deems it approved in its discretion under the procedure and criteria in Appendix 13.
An application for an additional approved competition has to go through that Appendix 13 process. A club does not create approved status by agreement, announcement or participation on its own.
What counts as a breach without approval
These acts are breaches if the board's prior written approval is missing.
| Act | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Signing an agreement | Any kind, binding or not, including correspondence, heads of terms or a memorandum of understanding, that includes an intention to take part |
| Binding the club | Contractually committing the club, or instructing someone else to |
| Taking an equity stake | A share or stake of any kind in a competition it means the club to play in |
| Announcing the intention | Publicly, or approving a third party to announce it |
| Entering or playing | Entering the competition or playing in it |
The list is broad on purpose. It does not wait for a formal launch or an opening fixture. Even a non-binding document can be enough if it includes an intention for the club to take part.
The rule also blocks workarounds. Instructing another person to commit the club, or approving a third party to make the public announcement, is treated as part of the same prohibited conduct.
What the rule still allows
Two areas are expressly left open. One is discussion. Clubs may discuss changes to existing competition formats and structures, or possible new formats and structures, with other clubs or with the board, as long as none of the five prohibited acts happens.
The other is for a club that has given notice to resign from the league. That club may also do those acts, provided the competition is one it will not play in until the resignation has taken effect.
FAQ
Does joining a new competition automatically mean leaving the Premier League?
No automatic link is created by this rule. It regulates participation in an unapproved competition and the steps that need approval before a club can go further.
The only express resignation point is a narrow exception. A club that has already given notice to resign may take those steps only for a competition it will not play in until the resignation has taken effect.
Would a super league replace the Premier League?
The rule does not treat an unapproved competition as a replacement for the league. Its focus is whether participation is permitted and what requires prior written approval.
The rule names the approved competitions and gives a separate approval route for anything else. The legal issue is permission, not substitution.
If a club only makes a public statement and signs nothing, is that still a breach?
Yes. Publicly announcing an intention to take part is one of the five acts that breaches the rules without prior written approval.
The same applies if the club approves a third party to make the announcement. The restriction starts before any formal contract is signed.
Can clubs talk to each other about a new format without breaking the rules?
Yes, discussion is expressly allowed. That includes talks about changes to existing formats and structures, and possible new formats and structures, with other clubs or with the board.
The protection ends when discussion turns into one of the five prohibited acts. Signing, binding, taking an equity stake, announcing the intention, or entering or playing all move beyond permitted discussion.