Luton’s Premier League game at home to Burnley, which was scheduled for August 19, has been postponed.
The fixture was scheduled to be Luton’s first home game following their promotion to the top flight but they were unable to guarantee that ongoing work to their Kenilworth Road ground will not impact the scheduling of the match.
Luton will start the Premier League season away to Brighton on August 12 and will then face Chelsea away on August 25. At present their first home game is scheduled to be against West Ham on September 12.
The Hatters’ Kenilworth Road ground has a capacity of 10,356, which meets the Premier League’s minimum requirement of 5,000. However, it doesn’t currently meet the standards for media facilities.
Work started earlier this summer on improving the Bobbers Stand to meet broadcasting requirements.
Luton’s first home game of the Premier League season against Burnley has been postponed
Gary Sweet, the Luton chief executive, said the decision to delay the game is regrettable
Luton have had planning permission for a new stadium at Power Court since 2019 and intend to move into the ground in 2026 regardless of which division they are in.
Luton chief executive Gary Sweet told the club’s official website: ‘The joint decision to delay this fixture is regrettable, especially given the amazing progress that continues to be made on our construction works; our current programme is indeed on time, but there is no additional contingency and therefore can’t give a cast-iron guarantee at this stage that a problem outside of our control, however minor, wouldn’t force a postponement further down the line and inconveniencing supporters of both clubs.
‘Although this news will be a disappointment, this will make the matchday experience even greater for fans when they do get to come back.
‘We would like to thank the Premier League and Burnley for their help in arriving at this practical decision.’
The first home Premier League game for Rob Edwards’ side could be against West Ham
Luton say that the works, which include the construction of a new stand, are progressing well and are ahead of schedule. However, they were unable to give guarantees that the game against Burnley could go ahead on its initial date.
Luton were promoted to the Premier League after beating Coventry on penalties in the Championship play-off final in May. It is the first time they will compete in the top division since 1992, while they are also the first side to have returned to the top flight after going down to non-league football.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s game against Brentford, which was scheduled for December 23, has been postponed due to the involvement of Pep Guardiola’s team in the Club World Cup.
City will be competing in the tournament in Saudi Arabia after winning the Champions League last season.
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