An image showing the first round of Premier League fixtures for 2023/24 campaign has been leaked on social media... but it appears to be a hoax.
That is because the 'leak' suggests Luton will play Liverpool, but Kenilworth Road is not expected to be ready to host a Premier League game until September due to ongoing works. The Hatters need to renovate their stadium to meet Premier League requirements.
The 2023/24 Premier League fixtures will officially be released on Thursday, June 15 at 9am (UK time). It promises to be an exciting morning for fans of all 20 clubs, particularly supporters of promoted trio Luton, Sheffield United and Burnley.
An image showing the first round of fixtures appeared on social media on Wednesday, sending fans into a frenzy. But eagle-eyed supporters believe it is a hoax after seeing the Luton vs Liverpool fixture, which is unlikely to take place until later in the term.
The Hatters want to play "maybe two or three" of their first Premier League fixtures away from home to improve Kenilworth Road. The ground's media and other facilities need to be renovated, with work expected to be completed by the end of August.
Luton legend Mick Harford, who is now the club's chief recruitment officer, told BBC Sport an opening-day fixture at Kenilworth Road "might become a bit of a problem" due to their tight schedule. Rob Edwards' team only secured promotion on May 27.
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Luton's chief executive Gary Sweet was "planning months and months before" promotion was achieved, but it will still take them time to get the work done. Harford added: "There is a schedule of about 11-12 weeks of work that has got to be done.
"It might become a bit of a problem, so we will probably have to play maybe two or three games away from home at the start of the Premier League season. But Gary's got everything in place, we're in a good place, the work has begun so it's all systems go."
Kenilworth Road was hosting non-league football a decade ago but will now welcome the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea following Luton's rapid rise through the pyramid. The iconic ground holds just over 10,000 spectators.
Luton are building a new stadium at Power Court in the town centre, but this venue will not open until 2026. As such, Luton are spending millions of pounds to renovate Kenilworth Road in time for (or just after) the start of their Premier League adventure.
Luton were promoted to the Premier League after beating Coventry 6-5 on penalties in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, which finished 1-1 after 120 minutes. Burnley won the Championship title, with Sheff Utd in second.
The new Premier League season will start on August 12. The campaign will conclude on May 19, 2024. It will be the first 'normal' schedule since the 2018/19 campaign following the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic and the Qatar World Cup.
