A Premier League guard of honour is an informal, voluntary ceremony, not a league requirement. Once a club has already won the title, the opposing players can form 2 lines and applaud the champions' starting XI onto the pitch, whether the champions are at home or away.
How the ceremony works
The moment usually comes in a match played after the title has already been secured. The newly crowned champions walk between 2 parallel lines of opposition players before kick-off, with the applause serving as a public mark of respect.
The key point is simple: no Premier League regulation makes it mandatory. Clubs can choose to do it, but they do not have to.
Premier League title guards of honour by year
| Year | Given by | For |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Everton | Manchester United |
| 2005 | Manchester United | Chelsea |
| 2007 | Chelsea | Manchester United |
| 2011 | Blackpool | Manchester United |
| 2013 | Arsenal | Manchester United |
| 2015 | Liverpool | Chelsea |
| 2016 | Everton and Chelsea | Leicester City |
| 2017 | Watford and Sunderland | Chelsea |
| 2018 | Swansea City, West Ham United, Huddersfield Town and Brighton & Hove Albion | Manchester City |
| 2020 | Manchester City, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United | Liverpool |
| 2021 | Newcastle United and Everton | Manchester City |
| 2023 | Chelsea | Manchester City |
| 2025 | Chelsea and Arsenal | Liverpool |
| 2026 | Crystal Palace | Arsenal |
On the Premier League's own historical list, Manchester United are thought to be the first side to receive one, from Everton at Goodison Park in 2003. After that, the list has 13 more years with a guard of honour for the champions, and some champions received more than one in the same run-in.
Which champions received the most
Liverpool hold the record. In the pandemic-hit 2019/20 season, they wrapped up the title with 7 matches to spare, matches were played behind closed doors, and every one of their final 7 opponents gave them a guard of honour. Manchester City received 4 after winning the 2017/18 title, and Leicester City 2, from Everton and Chelsea, in 2015/16.
Some of these moments are remembered because of what happened next. In 2004/05, Manchester United applauded Jose Mourinho's Chelsea onto the pitch after Chelsea's first Premier League title, and Chelsea came from behind to win 3-1 at Old Trafford. In 2013, Arsenal gave Manchester United a guard of honour on Robin van Persie's first return to Arsenal, and Van Persie scored a penalty in a 1-1 draw.
The gesture has also been used for individuals
The same idea has occasionally been used to honour people rather than title-winning teams. Those recognised in this way include Sir Alex Ferguson and Jurgen Klopp, with Klopp receiving it at his last home match for Liverpool in 2024.
Players have also been marked out this way. John Terry received one at his final Chelsea game in 2017, and Jamie Vardy did the same at his 500th and final Leicester appearance in May 2025.
FAQ
Is a guard of honour compulsory in the Premier League?
No. The Premier League says there is no obligation and nothing in the regulations that requires clubs to provide one.
That makes it a voluntary gesture of respect rather than part of the formal match procedure.
Who was the first Premier League team to get a guard of honour?
Manchester United are thought to be the first. The Premier League's historical record lists Everton giving them one in 2003.
Which champions received the most guards of honour?
Liverpool received the most, with 7. All 7 came in the same 2019/20 season.
That run stood out because the matches were behind closed doors, yet the ceremony still took place before each of those final fixtures.
Who gave Arsenal a guard of honour in 2026?
Crystal Palace did. Arsenal had clinched the 2025/26 title in Matchweek 37 and then received the guard of honour on the final day.