Key Data Points:
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Brentford will have the youngest squad in the Premier League
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Everton and Fulham will field the oldest sides in 2025-26
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Every squad’s average age has increased since last season
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Midfielders are the youngest position on average
Sportscasting has analysed average ages across all 20 Premier League sides to find out who has the most and least experienced squads heading into the 2025-26 season.
Using data on starting XI’s, average ages and positional breakdowns, Sportscasting’s findings have revealed a Premier League table of starting XI ages, ranking each team from youngest to oldest average lineups over the past season. The data showcases which teams are building for the future versus those trusting in experience, as well as highlighting which positions tend to give more opportunities to younger players.
Finally, we compared this season’s averages to recent years to uncover whether the premier league is getting younger or older and which clubs are refreshing their squads with young talent or experienced players.
The Youngest vs Oldest XIs in the Premier League
Below is the league table for youngest average Premier League XI for the upcoming 2025/26 Premier League Season
With the youngest average age in the Premier League this season, Brentford and newly-promoted Sunderland are the only two sides fielding a starting XI with an average age below 25. The Black Cats have put their faith in youth to gain promotion, but will that lack of experience harm them in a relegation dogfight?
Brentford have had a major overhaul this summer after replacing Thomas Frank with Keith Andrews and losing key players such as Mbuemo and Norgaard but is a youthful side the correct approach this season or will relegation be staring them in the face? Chelsea, meanwhile, are another side filled with young talent. But as the Blues continue to build, this could pay dividends in the long run.
At the other end of the scale, Everton and Fulham have the oldest squads, averaging 28 and 29 years of age respectively. Both sides are packed with experience, but their ageing squads could soon be past their best. Champions Liverpool averaged 26.91, showing their perfect blend of youth and experience as a key to their success.
Which Premier League Positions Favor Young Players and Which Don’t
For our investigation, we also analysed the average age of Premier League players by position, with some interesting results.
- Goalkeepers: 30.74 years
- Attackers: 27.48 years
- Defenders: 26.66 years
- Midfielders: 25.96 years
Our data reveals that midfielders (25.96 years) and defenders (26.66 years) are the youngest positions on average, showing where young players are most likely to break into first teams. These areas tend to demand energy, mobility, and depth, giving younger talents more opportunities to earn minutes.
With an average age of 30.74, goalkeepers are the oldest position by far. This reflects how experience and decision-making are crucial attributes between the sticks, often valued over raw athleticism.
Attackers (27.48) sit in the middle, but lean towards older players. This is likely due to clubs relying on proven, clinical finishers to deliver in the Premier League.
Are Premier League Squads Getting Younger or Older?
Finally, we measured the change in average squad age from last season to the upcoming campaign.
The most glaring observation is that all 20 Premier League sides have seen their average squad age increase from last year. This trend indicates a move towards more teams seeking experience over unproven potential.
Notably, Burnley (+3.22 years), Chelsea (+2.74), and Aston Villa (+2.65) have seen the biggest increase. For a team like Burnley who have just got promoted, they may be learning from previous relegations and leaning towards experience to steer them away from the relegation zone.
Conversely, Brentford (+0.36) and Crystal Palace (+0.38) have only marginally increased their average XI age. This would indicate a desire to invest in long-term squad building, though it could cost them league position if their youngsters crumble under pressure.
Commentary
Lee Astley, head of news at Sportscasting said: “What we can see from the data is a clear divide when it comes to squad building.
“Some clubs have invested heavily in youth, with starting XI’s barely over 24, while others have an average age pushing 30 years old.
“The figures also reveal that younger players have a better chance of breaking into Premier League sides as defenders or midfielders, where high energy and squad depth are crucial.
“And the universal increase in average squad age indicates that teams up and down the Premier League are putting more value in experience compared with previous seasons.”
Methodology:
Sportscasting analysed squad age data for each current Premier League side in 2024-25 and 2025-26. The data was then broken down by position, and average squad age was compared across the two seasons.
