Chelsea Set for Record, 5th Guard of Honour in Premier League

In Matchweek 35 of the Premier League, Chelsea will host newly crowned champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that his side will form a guard of honour to pay tribute to Liverpool. Statistics show that Chelsea has performed this gesture more times than any other Premier League club.

Maresca said that Chelsea plans to honour Liverpool with a guard of honour when the champions visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“I think it’s a tradition that must be upheld,” said Maresca. “It’s the right thing to do and something we want to do.

They’ve won the league — it’s well deserved, and hopefully we’ll be in that position soon too.”

Chelsea’s Guard of Honour Record in the Premier League:

• 2007: For Manchester United

• 2016: For Leicester City

• 2020: For Liverpool

• 2023: For Manchester City

• 2024 (upcoming): For Liverpool

What Is a “Guard of Honour”?

A guard of honour is an unofficial ceremony that typically takes place when a team has secured the Premier League title before the end of the season. As the champions walk onto the pitch, players from the opposing team form two lines and applaud them in a show of respect. This can happen whether the match is home or away for the champions.

Is It Mandatory?

No. There is no Premier League rule requiring teams to perform a guard of honour. It’s entirely voluntary and is done out of respect for the champions’ achievement.

Any Exceptions?

The only variation in tradition came during the 2019–20 season, when Liverpool won the title with seven matches to spare. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, matches were played without fans, and health protocols prohibited handshakes. As a result, while Liverpool’s opponents did form guards of honour in all seven remaining matches, no physical contact was allowed — the only time official restrictions shaped how the gesture was performed.

When Did the Tradition Begin?

The first documented Premier League guard of honour occurred in May 2003, when Everton lined up to applaud Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United at Goodison Park after United had clinched the title. Since then, the tradition has appeared in 11 other seasons, with some champions receiving multiple guards.

For instance, Leicester City, after their fairy-tale 2015–16 title win, were honoured in back-to-back matches by Everton and Chelsea.

Manchester City received guards of honour four times following their 2017–18 title triumph.

Liverpool, during the pandemic-hit 2019–20 season, were applauded onto the pitch by seven different teams — a Premier League record — including Chelsea.

Over the years, the gesture has produced both memorable and awkward moments. In 2004–05, after Chelsea won their first Premier League title, former champions Manchester United — their fierce rivals — formed a guard at Old Trafford, only for Chelsea to win 3–1.

A few years later, the roles were reversed when United reclaimed the title, and Chelsea had to do the honours at Stamford Bridge.

Perhaps the most dramatic guard of honour occurred in 2013, when Robin van Persie returned to the Emirates after joining Manchester United from Arsenal the previous summer. Arsène Wenger and his players applauded their former teammate — now a Premier League champion — to a chorus of boos from home fans. To add to the drama, van Persie scored a penalty, securing a 1–1 draw.

Premier League Guard of Honour Timeline:

• 2003: Everton for Manchester United

• 2005: Manchester United for Chelsea

• 2007: Chelsea for Manchester United

• 2011: Blackpool for Manchester United

• 2013: Arsenal for Manchester United

• 2015: Liverpool for Chelsea

• 2016: Everton and Chelsea for Leicester City

• 2017: Watford and Sunderland for Chelsea

• 2018: Swansea, West Ham, Huddersfield, and Brighton for Manchester City

• 2020: Manchester City, Aston Villa, Brighton, Burnley, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle for Liverpool

• 2021: Newcastle and Everton for Manchester City

• 2023: Chelsea for Manchester City