Luton Town request postponement of first home fixture of 2023-24 Premier League season

After their sensational promotion into the top flight of English football after winning the promotion playoff, the club’s beloved yet outdated ground is undergoing considerable updating in order to come up to league standard.

By Andrew Thompson

July 14, 2023 at 8:29 pm GMT+1

Newly promoted Luton Town will have to wait for the club’s first-ever Premier League fixture at Kenilworth Road after The Hatters have sent a formal request to postpone its opening fixture against Burnley in order to guarantee the ground is fully complete.

We have requested that our first home match of the 2023/24 season against Burnley is postponed from the scheduled date of Saturday 19th August.
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) July 14, 2023

Luton issues an official statement on the club’s website detailing the situation at hand.

“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.”

“Kenilworth Road is undergoing a programme of extensive ground improvements to be ready to host Premier League football, including the construction of a new stand to meet broadcast and media requirements.”

“Whilst ongoing work is progressing extremely well and currently ahead of schedule, the Premier League understandably requires guarantees to its fixture schedule within sufficient time to advise supporters and broadcasters of any changes in advance.”

“Due to the extent of the project, the Club cannot absolutely guarantee supporters that any future unforeseen issues would not cause any delay potentially impacting upon the scheduled opening game at home.”

“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.”