We get an insight from the Vanarama National League as to how they compile the fixtures for the forthcoming season...
Fixture release day is arguably the most anticipated date in the football calendar as the new season edges ever closer.
Many see the fixture drop as the start of the new season as the next nine months takes shape and preparations begin.
Producing the fixture list for our 72 clubs is a lengthy and meticulous process that is months in the making, with 1,656 games plotted.
Here’s how the Vanarama National League fixture list is compiled…
How long does the fixture compilation process take?
The process starts before the conclusion of the previous season with the first step in the process, the fixture schedule. This document is essentially a calendar where matchdays are plotted for the three divisions. It also contains key dates for the Premier League, EFL, FA Cup, FA Trophy and international breaks.
Once the season has finished and the composition of each division is known, the League sends a fixture questionnaire to all clubs where they are asked a number of questions such as whether they would like to nominate certain days not to be at home.
Clubs are also asked to provide details such as their longest and shortest journeys and their preference for who they play over the Easter and Christmas periods – and any team who they wish to be scheduled opposite to.
When all requests have been gathered, they are sent to Glenn Thompson of Atos - an IT company who run the fixture compiling software. Atos are a worldwide company who also work with - among others - the Premier League and EFL.
The League then holds a meeting with Atos to identify any issues with the compiled fixture list and ultimately finalise the schedule.
Why are National League fixtures released later than Premier League and EFL fixtures?
As above, the National League work with Atos who in turn also work with the Premier League and the EFL. Premier League fixtures are compiled first, EFL fixtures next, and then National League fixtures are compiled once both the Premier League and EFL fixtures are finalised.
What other factors does the League take into account when compiling fixtures?
Aside from club requests, the League also have a responsibility to ensure clubs and fans are not disadvantaged by their fixtures. Things like local derbies and high-profile games are – where possible – scheduled on the best days possible.
Travel for midweek fixtures is also considered at length. Clubs and their fans don’t want to be travelling large distances for a midweek fixture. That being said, this can be unavoidable sometimes.
How difficult is it to please everyone?
The short answer is you can’t. When compiling the fixture list, it’s not just the requests from our 72 clubs that is taken into consideration – there is also the 92 teams from the Premier League and EFL who need to be taken into account. A slight change to one fixture can impact multiple clubs in certain areas of the country.
As explained above, clubs are asked if they wish to be scheduled opposite to another club - this can be due to a number of reasons from fans supporting two clubs to local clubs sharing steward resource. With 72 clubs submitting these requests, best effort is made to honour all requests, but this is not always possible.
With all the information above considered, the National League works as hard as possible to ensure a fair fixture list for all 72 Clubs and their supporters.
Does the work on fixtures stop once they are released?
Between fixture release and the start of the season there isn’t much work to be done on fixtures. However, when the season gets underway, we usually start getting postponements. Anything from bad weather, abandonments and cup clashes impacts this which inevitably leads to more midweek games than first scheduled.
Clubs work together to find mutual dates for a rearrangement before applying to the League who will approve (or reject) requests on a case-by-case basis.
