World Cup 2022: When do Europe's top leagues stop and restart their seasons?

Joel Barnett

There are just three weeks to go until the World Cup gets underway in Qatar but when do Europe’s top leagues stop and restart their campaigns to accommodate it?

Premier League

Stops: Sunday 13 November

The Premier League will come to a halt once the full-time whistle has blown on Manchester United’s trip to Fulham, with the match at Craven Cottage kicking off shortly after Brighton host Aston Villa earlier in the day.

All other 18 teams break for the World Cup the day before, with Chelsea's trip to Newcastle and Arsenal visit to Wolves the highlights of matchday 16.

Restarts: Boxing Day

A hot topic of conversation when Qatar was awarded the rights to host the World Cup was the consequence it would have on England’s traditional Christmas schedule, but the Boxing Day fixtures remain intact and will take centre stage as the Premier League season resumes.

In the pick of the fixtures, Arsenal face West Ham at the Emirates, Brentford host Tottenham and Liverpool travel to Aston Villa.

Will Ronaldo feature for Manchester United after the World Cup?Profimedia

La Liga

Stops: Thursday 10 November

La Liga is one of Europe’s early breakers with the last round of fixtures ensuring players in Spain will be available at least four days before most other leagues. Real Madrid face Cadiz at the Santiago Bernabéu to wrap up the action, with Valencia and Rayo Vallecano facing Real Betis and Cela Vigo in the afternoon.

Barcelona travel to Osasuna for their last match before the World Cup on 8 November, with Atletico, Sevilla and Espanyol playing on 9 November.

Restarts: Saturday 31 December

It’s a bumper New Year’s Eve in La Liga with all clubs currently scheduled to resume their league campaigns ahead of 2022 coming to a close. In the pick of the fixtures, Barcelona face Espanyol, Atletico are at home to Elche with Sevilla and Real Madrid away to Real Valladolid and Celta Vigo respectively.

Robert Lewandowski will hope to be back among the goals for Barcelona when La Liga returnsProfimedia

Bundesliga

Stops: Sunday 13 November

The Bundesliga is set to bow out with a bang as a top-of-the-table clash between SC Freiburg and title hopefuls Union Berlin draws the curtain down on the league for over two months. To ramp up the tension ahead of the match, champions chasers Eintracht Frankfurt and Mainz kick-off earlier in the day.

Bayern Munch, Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig wrap-up on 12 November with Borussia Monchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund pausing their seasons after their match on 11 November.

Restarts: Friday 20 January

As the Premier League keeps its Boxing Day matches the Bundesliga retains its annual winter break, despite the pressures on a clustered fixture list. RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich resume their rivalry ahead of a bumper weekend of action towards the end of January.

The Bundesliga will pause for its traditional winter break after the World CupProfimedia

Serie A

Stops: Sunday 13 November

There’s a full day of action before the break in Italy with AC Milan hosting Fiorentina, Roma facing Turino and Inter travelling to Atalanta the pick of the matches. Then the standout fixture: Juventus against Lazio in the evening kick-off in Turin, which will be the final match of the year.

Restarts: Wednesday 4 January

All 20 teams resume the Serie A season on this day with Juventus travelling to Cremonese and Roma facing Bologna among the highlights, but it's title-chasing Napoli travelling to Inter Milan that will take the place on most back pages the following morning.

Juventus will host Lazio at the Allianz Stadium in the final Serie A match before the World CupProfimedia

Liga Portugal

Stops: Monday 14 November

Portugal’s top division will be paused after Santa Clara’s match with Estoril Praia at the Estádio de São Miguel, but those at the summit of the division stop their seasons earlier with Porto travelling to Boavista on 11 November and Benfica home to Gil Vicente the following day.

Restarts: Monday 28 December

Portugal is one of a few European leagues resuming their season before the end of 2022, with Braga hosting Benfica, Sporting facing Pacos Ferreira and 2021/22 champions Porto at home to Arouca.

Porto and Benfica will both resume their seasons on 28 December, against Arouca and Braga respectivelyProfimedia

Ligue 1

Stops: Sunday 13 November

Monaco’s clash with Marseille will bring Ligue 1 to an end on matchday 15 with PSG, who play Auxerre in the early kick-off, favourites to stay at the top. Lorient’s match at Strasbourg will also be among the highlights as the season comes to a halt.

Restarts: Wednesday 28 December

Kick-off times are still TBC at the time of writing but it’s almost certain all 20 teams will play on the same day given the congested festive fixture list, with PSG at home to Strasbourg the pick of the bunch. If Lens can keep up the pressure at the top with a win away to Nice, a New Year’s Day showdown at home to PSG could prove crucial. Lorient, Rennes and Marseille face Montpellier, Reims and Toulouse respectively in a bumper post-World Cup schedule.