Newly promoted Luton Town have had their first home game of the 2023/24 Premier League season postponed as their home ground Kenilworth Road won’t be ready in time to host the clash.
Luton, who got promoted to the Premier League after an enthralling play-off final victory against Coventry City said in a statement which reads:
“Luton Town Football Club has reluctantly requested that its first home match of the 2023/24 season against Burnley is postponed from the scheduled date of Saturday 19th August”.
The side who defeated Coventry City via penalties have revealed that Kenilworth Road is undergoing massive upscaling in order to be ready to host Premier League matches.
Luton Town revealed that amid the ongoing work on the turf, the Premier League “understandably requires guarantees to its fixture schedule within sufficient time”.
The administrators of the English top-flight league need this guarantee in order to be able to advise supporters and broadcasters regarding any fixture rescheduling.
Luton Town revealed why their home game against Burnley was postponed
The Hatters have revealed that they cannot guarantee beyond reasonable doubt that any unforeseen circumstances would not affect the schedule.
Luton Town also shared that the decision was made alongside the two other parties involved, the Premier League and Burnley.
They wrote: “Therefore, together with the Premier League and Burnley FC, all parties felt this was a sensible outcome which gives supporters of both teams sufficient time to plan for what will now be a free weekend and subsequently make arrangements for travel for the new date.”
Rob Edwards’ side have also stated that a new date will be communicated by both teams at the earliest available means.
Club CEO, Gary Sweet, also said that the decision to delay their first home game of the season is regrettable but it was needed in order not to inconvenience fans of the two teams.
He also noted that the news will be met with disappointment by fans but this move will facilitate the “matchday experience even greater for fans” when they return.
Sweet also used that medium to send the club’s gratitude to the Premier League and Burnley for the assistance and cooperation.
Kenilworth Road, which has an estimated capacity of 10,356 was forced to go through changes in order to meet up with Premier League standards.
They have also had to fork out a whopping £10 million in building a new stand that will meet broadcast and media requirements.
Puma set to become Premier League’s match ball supplier
Meanwhile, Puma is set to become the sole Premier League’s official match ball supplier, halting the partnership with Nike which has spanned 25 years.
Nike has been the supplier of the Premier League’s balls since the 2000/01 season after taking over the responsibility from Mitre.
However, the deal will culminate in 2025, giving room to Puma to take up the mantle.
The German Sportswear and Equipment brand headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany has been the match ball supplier of the English Football League since 2021.
Puma also provides Serie A and La Liga with their match balls. They will also provide match balls to the Scottish Professional League (SPFL) and Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) from the 2023/24 season and beyond.
Reports from The Athletic revealed that Nike had the chance to renew their deal with the Premier League, but there was a deadlock in negotiations.
That gave room for Puma to agree a deal with the English top-flight football league which will commence from the 2025/26 season and beyond.
Several organizations have sponsored the Premier League since it commenced in 1992.
These companies includes; EA Sports, Budweiser, Hublot, Panini and Castrol.
The Premier League’s previous headline sponsors were Carling, Barclaycard and Barclays bank.
The 2023/24 English Premier League season will kick start on the 11th of August, 2023 with Manchester City facing off against Burnley and many fans can’t wait to lap up the excitement.
