Logistics in sports: How competition calendars are made?

Has anyone ever wondered whether the calendars of sporting competitions are related to logistical aspects?

This is the case of the Premier League (English football’s top division), which takes into account issues such as the distance between cities, the number of matches in the same region on the same day or the influx of public transport on specific dates when drawing up the calendar.

Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC fans outside Wembley Stadium in the run-up to the Cup Final.

Elaboration of the calendar

It is a complex process and is designed by an external company called Atos. First of all, it is necessary to know the so-called “FIFA dates” when international matches are played (national teams) and the “UEFA dates” when European competition matches are played (Champions League). Next, clubs must select an opponent, a team that they will not play at home on the same date in the calendar (many teams usually say the rival city club, e.g. Manchester United and Manchester City).

At this point they start to place restrictions, which are as follows:

• In a set of 5 matches, a maximum of 3 matches can be played as home or away, but never as home or away, but never more than 3.
• The maximum number of consecutive home matches is 2.
• The first two matches of the competition or the last two matches may not be played at home.
• On Boxing Day (26th and 27th December) or New Year’s Day only 1 away match may be played.

Review and approval phase

The incorporation of these restrictions results in a timetable that is reviewed by various bodies such as the British Police, the Transport Authority, the Supporters’ Federation, the Premier League, the Football League and Atos. The involvement of all these stakeholders, and in particular the transport authorities, allows for a more convenient timetable for fans, facilitating shorter journeys to watch their team, as well as avoiding traffic problems or congestion in the city itself.

Anfield (Liverpool FC) and Goodison Park (Everton FC) stadiums separated by Stanley Park.

For all this, the Premier League calendar takes into account logistical aspects such as distance, rivals, restrictions, and stakeholder involvement for fan convenience.