Luton Town’s First Premier League Home Game Postponed
Luton Town’s first home game back in the top flight has been postponed after the club could not assure the Premier League and opponents Burnley that improvement works at Kenilworth Road would be completed in time. All parties felt this was a sensible outcome, according to a statement released by Luton Town.
The £10m work programme includes the construction of a new stand to meet broadcast and media requirements. The match, which was scheduled for Saturday, 19 August, will have to be rearranged.
Premier League Requirements
Luton won promotion back into the top division for the first time since 1992 when they won the Championship play-off final in May. The Hatters have plans to move to a new stadium by 2026, but they have needed to update Kenilworth Road to meet Premier League requirements.
Luton chief executive Gary Sweet said: “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.”
Luton’s First Premier League Campaign
Luton’s first Premier League campaign starts away at Brighton on 12 August. Meanwhile, the Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford, scheduled for Saturday, 23 December, has been postponed due to City’s involvement in the Fifa Club World Cup.
Conclusion
It is unfortunate that Luton Town’s first home game back in the top flight has been postponed due to improvement works at Kenilworth Road that need to be completed in order to meet Premier League requirements. The club is doing its best to ensure that the works are completed on time and that the match can be rearranged as soon as possible. In the meantime, Luton Town’s first Premier League campaign will begin away at Brighton on 12 August.