Entertainment

The18's Complete 2021 Soccer Calendar

No one can argue that 2020 has been an awful year that we all want to put behind us. But before we look ahead 2021, we have to take a minute to appreciate how sports have provided something resembling normality in recent months.

Considering the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been incredibly lucky to have soccer leagues playing regularly since June.

Now, lets turn our attention to 2021. A first half of the year packed with international tournaments and cup finals is follwed by a busy summer that contains Euro 2021, the Gold Cup, Copa América, and the Tokyo Summer Olympics. 

Here are a few things to note before diving into the 2021 calendar:

  • The starting dates for the 2021/22 domestic season have not yet been announced. Leagues usually start up again in the first part of August, but it's possible this could be pushed back slightly due to the congested fixture list this season.
  • We also don't know how the later end to the club season will affect the dates of the summer transfer window.

2021 Soccer Calendar


January

2: Transfer Window opens (England, Germany, France)

4: Transfer Window opens (Spain, Italy)

7: Liga MX Clausura begins

10: Marine AFC vs Tottenham (FA Cup Third Round)

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23: Copa Libertadoes Final

February

1: Transfer Window ends (All European Leagues)

10: MLS Transfer Window opens

16-17, 23-24: UEFA Champions League Round of 16, first leg

20: Merseyside Derby

20: Milan Derby

March

MLS season begins (Date TBD)

6: Manchester Derby

6: Der Klassiker (Bayern vs. Dortmund)

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7: Madrid Derby

9-10, 16-17: UEFA Champions League Round of 16, second leg

24-31: UEFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying

25, 31: CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 Qualifying

April

4: 2020 Copa Del Rey Final, Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad (Rescheduled from April 2020)

6-7: UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals, first leg

11: El Clásico

13-14: UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals, second leg

18: Copa Del Rey Final

27-28 UEFA Champions League Semifinals, first leg

May

NWSL season begins (Date TBD)

4: MLS Transfer Window Closes

4-5: UEFA Champions League Semifinals, second leg

12: DFB Pokal Final

15: FA Cup Final

16: UEFA Women's Champions League Final

19: Copa Italia Final

22: Bundesliga Final Day

23: Final Day for Premier League, Serie A and La Liga

26: Europa League Final (Stadion Energa Gdańsk, Poland)

29: UEFA Champions League Final (Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul)

29-31: EFL Championship Playoff Final (Exact date TBD)

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30: Liga MX Clausura ends

June

3, 8: CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 Qualifying

11: Euro 2021 begins

11: CONMEBOL Copa América begins

26: Euro Knockout Stage begins

July

6-7: Euro 2021 semifinals

10: CONMEBOL Copa América Final

10: CONCACAF Gold Cup begins

11: Euro 2021 Final (Wembley Stadium, London)

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21: Soccer begins at Tokyo Summer Olympics

August

Most European Domestic Leagues Start (Dates TBD)

1: CONCACAF Gold Cup Final 

7: Tokyo Summer Olympics Soccer Gold Medal Match

September

UEFA Champions League Group Stage begins (Dates TBD)

CONCACAF World Cup 2022 Qualifying Third Round (Dates TBD)

2, 7: CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 Qualifying

4-7: UEFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying

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October

FA Cup First Round Proper Begins (Date TBD)

CONCACAF World Cup 2022 Qualifying Third Round (Dates TBD)

7, 12: CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 Qualifying

11-12: UEFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying

November

NWSL Playoffs begin (Dates TBD)

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CONCACAF World Cup 2022 Qualifying Third Round (Dates TBD)

11, 16: CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 Qualifying

11-16: UEFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying

20: MLS Playoffs begin

December

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Concludes

12: MLS Cup

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