The 57 dates that could spell disaster for couples getting married this year

Anyone getting married this year should brace themselves and hope it’s not one of 57 dates that could spell disaster...

When it comes to planning a wedding, it’s hard to nail the perfect day – not least because so much of it hinges on the date.

If you’re dreaming of a sunny summer wedding, it will always come loaded with the knowledge that it may well pour with rain, while if you’re opting for midweek nuptials to save a bit of cash, it’s hardly surprising when some people say they can’t make it.

Let’s just hope that the date you’ve chosen isn’t one of 57 you’d probably be best off avoiding – if anyone attending is a football fan, that is.

That’s right, with football season back in full swing, the key fixtures for the Premier League’s 2023/24 calendar have been announced.

StockSnap/Pixabay

The folk at Live Football Tickets have pulled them all together to create ‘The Football Widow’s Wedding Planner’, a guide to the dates that may cause a problem for anyone marrying a footy fan or welcoming guests who may be guilty of peering down at their phones all day.

“August is considered to be the most popular month for UK weddings, with a staggering 15% of all 2023 ceremonies taking place throughout the month,” Live Football Tickets said.

“However, with the Premier League season running from August through to May, many brides and grooms may find themselves sharing the spotlight on their big day.

Full list of dates below

“Eager to help football widows avoid the minefield of football fixtures this season, Live Football Tickets have discovered the most key dates in the 23/24 Premier league calendar that you could potentially be sharing with your big day.

“According to the findings, there are a total of 57 dates that currently pose a potential clash for avid football fans and their other halves celebrating their wedding day over the next nine months.

"The data reveals over 53 percent of priority fixtures have a three-o'clock kick-off time, while winter weddings prove the best bet when it comes to dates for football lovers."

The main priority fixtures you could be sharing your big day with this season will be the major tournament finals, which take place on 25 February 2024, 25 May 2024, 29 May 2024 and again on 1 June 2024.

Live Football Tickets

October 2023 has just one football-free weekend, but for those with a winter wedding in the works, things look a little better, with the date showing how after 16 December 2023 there are no priority fixtures until 25 February 2024 - leaving a period of ten weeks in between where you are free of key fixtures.

"With all this in mind, Live Football Tickets has calculated the best time for a wedding to take place would ideally be in between 16/12/2023 and 25/02/2024 as this allows you two weekends free between key fixtures," the site said.

The disaster dates are:

Chelsea v Liverpool – 13 August 2023, 4.30pm

Tottenham v Manchester United – 19 August 2023, 5.30pm

Manchester City v Newcastle – 19 August 2023, 8pm

West Ham v Chelsea – 20 August 2023, 3pm

Newcastle v Liverpool – 27 August 2023, 4.30pm

Arsenal v Manchester United – 3 September 2023, 4.30pm

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur – 24 September 2023, 2pm

Tottenham v Liverpool – 30 September 2023, 5.30pm

Arsenal v Manchester City – 7 October 2023, 3pm

Liverpool v Everton – 21 October 2023, 3pm

Chelsea v Arsenal – 21 October 2023, 3pm

Manchester United v Manchester City – 28 October 2023, 3pm

Newcastle v Arsenal – 4 November 2023, 3pm

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea – 4 November 2023, 3pm

Chelsea v Manchester City – 11 November 2023, 3pm

Manchester City v Liverpool – 25 November 2023, 3pm

Newcastle v Chelsea – 25 November 2023, 3pm

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur – 2 December 2023, 3pm

Newcastle v Manchester United – 2 December 2023, 3pm

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United – 5 December 2023, 7.45pm

Manchester United v Chelsea – 6 December 2023, 8pm

Tottenham v Newcastle – 9 December 2023, 3pm

Liverpool v Manchester United – 16 December 2023, 3pm

Crystal Palace v Brighton – 23 December 2023, 3pm

Liverpool v Arsenal – 23 December 2023, 3pm

Arsenal v West Ham United – 26 December 2023, 3pm

Liverpool v Newcastle – 30 December 2023, 3pm

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur – 13 January 2024, 3pm

Newcastle v Manchester City – 31 January 2023, 3pm

Liverpool v Chelsea – 31 January 2024, 8pm

Arsenal v Liverpool – 3 February 2023, 3pm

Brighton v Crystal Palace – 3 February 2023, 3pm

West Ham United v Arsenal – 10 February 2023, 3pm

Manchester City v Chelsea – 17 February 2024, 3pm

Arsenal v Newcastle – 24 February 2023, 3pm

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur – 24 February 2024, 3pm

Carabao Cup final – 25 February, TBD

Manchester City v Manchester United – 2 March 2024, 3pm

Chelsea v Newcastle – 9 March 2024, 3pm

Liverpool v Manchester City – 9 March 2024, 3pm

Everton v Liverpool – 16 March 2024, 3pm

Arsenal v Chelsea – 16 March 2024, 3pm

Manchester City v Arsenal – 30 March 2024, 3pm

West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur – 2 April 2024, 7.45pm

Chelsea v Manchester United – 3 April 2024, 7.45pm

Manchester United v Liverpool – 6 April 2024, 3pm

Newcastle v Tottenham Hotspur – 13 April 2024, 3pm

Manchester United v Newcastle – 20 April 2024, 3pm

Tottenham v Manchester City – 20 April 2024, 3pm

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal – 27 April 2024, 3pm

Chelsea v West Ham United – 4 May 2024, 3pm

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur – 4 May 2024, 3pm

Manchester United v Arsenal – 11 May 2024, 3pm

Europa League final – 22 May 2024, 8pm

Conference League final – 29 May 2024, TBD

Champions League final – 1 June 2024, 8pm