Peter Bankes has become a familiar name to followers of English football, particularly those who follow the Premier League and major domestic cup competitions. From beginning his refereeing journey as a teenager in Liverpool to reaching the highest level of English football, his career has been built over decades of experience. His work has also expanded beyond the pitch, with important appointments as a video assistant referee. So, who is Peter Bankes, and how did he become one of England’s established match officials?
| Quick Bio | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Peter Bankes |
| Born | 18 May 1982 |
| Birthplace | Lancashire, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Profession | Professional football referee |
| Refereeing career began | 1996 |
| Football League referee | From 2014 |
| Select Group 2 | From 2016 |
| Premier League referee | From 2019 |
| County FA | Liverpool FA |
Who Is Peter Bankes?
Peter Bankes is an English professional football referee who has officiated in the Premier League since the 2019–20 season. He is affiliated with the Liverpool Football Association and has longstanding connections with Merseyside football.
His route to the Premier League was a gradual one. Rather than entering professional football as a referee immediately, he developed through England’s structured refereeing system, gaining experience at grassroots, Football League and assistant-referee levels before becoming a central referee.
The Premier League officially announced his promotion to Select Group 1 in June 2019, alongside Andy Madley. At the time, Bankes was 37 and had already spent several years within Select Group 2.
Peter Bankes Referee Career Began at 14
One of the most interesting aspects of his biography is how early he started refereeing. Bankes began refereeing in Liverpool in 1996, aged only 14. His early development eventually led him into professional football.
Before becoming a full-time central referee, he worked as an assistant referee. He was promoted to the Football League as an assistant in 2007 and gained valuable experience in major competitions, including the FA Cup and play-off matches. In 2012, he was also involved in UEFA Champions League officiating as an assistant.
This background gave him a broad understanding of professional football before he moved into the centre of the pitch.
Moving Into Professional Refereeing
A major step came in 2014, when Bankes was appointed to the Football League Referees List. He subsequently became a full-time Select Group 2 referee in 2016.
That promotion was important because Select Group 2 provided a pathway toward regular top-flight appointments. By this stage, Bankes had already officiated significant matches and had experience at Wembley, including involvement in promotion and play-off fixtures.
His career demonstrates the long development process required to reach the Premier League. For Bankes, the journey from a 14-year-old grassroots official to a top-flight referee took more than two decades.
When Did Peter Bankes Become a Premier League Referee?
Peter Bankes was promoted to Select Group 1 ahead of the 2019–20 Premier League season. The Premier League described him as having previously spent three seasons in Select Group 2 and two campaigns as a Select Group 1 assistant referee.
His first Premier League match as referee came on 31 August 2019, when Leicester City faced AFC Bournemouth. Leicester won 3–1, and Bankes issued four yellow cards during the match.
The appointment marked the beginning of his regular career as a Premier League referee.
Peter Bankes and Major Football Matches
Since reaching the Premier League, Bankes has taken charge of matches involving many of England’s best-known clubs. His appointments have included league fixtures, FA Cup games and other important domestic matches.
His responsibilities have also included matches involving Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and other leading Premier League sides. However, officiating a particular club does not indicate personal support for that team.
One especially significant appointment came in the 2026 EFL Cup Final, when Bankes was selected to referee Arsenal against Manchester City at Wembley on 22 March 2026. Manchester City won the final 2–0.
The appointment represented an important milestone in his career because domestic cup finals are among the most prestigious assignments available to English referees.
Peter Bankes and Arsenal
The connection between Peter Bankes and Arsenal is mainly professional. He has officiated Arsenal matches during his Premier League career and has also been involved in Arsenal fixtures in domestic cup competitions.
His most prominent Arsenal appointment came when he refereed the 2026 EFL Cup Final between Arsenal and Manchester City. Earlier in his career, he also appeared in Arsenal-related appointments as a fourth official and in other officiating roles.
It is important to distinguish match appointments from personal allegiance. There is no reliable evidence establishing Bankes as an Arsenal supporter.
Peter Bankes and Chelsea
Chelsea is another major club that appears regularly in Bankes’ officiating history. He has refereed Chelsea matches in the Premier League and domestic competitions.
In the 2026 FA Cup, the Football Association appointed Bankes as referee for Wrexham versus Chelsea in the fifth round.
He has also served in video-officiating roles involving Chelsea. For example, The FA listed him as AVAR for Chelsea’s 2026 FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale.
These appointments illustrate how his responsibilities can change from one match to another: he may be the referee on the pitch for one game and part of the VAR team for another.
Peter Bankes and Manchester United
Bankes has also officiated matches involving Manchester United. Like Arsenal and Chelsea, Manchester United is simply part of the collection of Premier League clubs he has encountered during his career.
His involvement with major clubs has sometimes generated attention because refereeing decisions naturally receive intense scrutiny in high-profile matches. However, individual decisions should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of bias.
Professional referees are appointed through the English football officiating system, and their club assignments do not establish which team they personally support.
Which Club Does Peter Bankes Support?
The question of which club Peter Bankes supports is one of the more frequently discussed aspects of his profile, but there is no reliable public evidence identifying him as a supporter of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Everton or another specific Premier League club.
Planet Sport previously listed Bankes’ club allegiance as unknown and noted that he had not officiated Liverpool, Everton or Tranmere during the period discussed in its analysis.
Therefore, it would be misleading to claim that he supports a particular club simply because he has refereed that team’s matches. His professional neutrality is separate from any private football preferences, and no confirmed public statement establishes a club allegiance.
Peter Bankes and VAR
Modern refereeing increasingly involves technology, and Bankes has developed experience as a video match official as well as an on-field referee.
His involvement at the highest domestic level continued in 2026. The Football Association appointed him as VAR for the 2026 FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley. Darren England was the referee, while Nick Hopton was appointed assistant VAR.
He has also been used as a VAR or assistant VAR in earlier FA Cup rounds. The FA’s 2025–26 competition appointments show him performing both central-referee and video-official duties.
Personal Life, Wife and Children
Unlike some football personalities, Peter Bankes maintains a relatively private public profile. Most available information focuses on his professional refereeing career rather than his family life.
There is no sufficiently reliable public information confirming the identity of a spouse, partner or children. For that reason, claims about his wife, family relationships or children should be treated cautiously unless supported by a direct interview or reputable source.
His professional record, however, provides plenty of material for understanding his career and contribution to English football officiating.
Peter Bankes’ Career Legacy
Peter Bankes’ story is ultimately one of long-term progression. Starting at 14 in Liverpool, he worked through the English refereeing structure, became a Football League official, moved into Select Group 2 and eventually reached Select Group 1.
His Premier League promotion in 2019 established him as a regular top-flight referee, while his subsequent work as a VAR has broadened his role within modern football. His appointment to major domestic matches, including the 2026 EFL Cup Final and the 2026 FA Cup Final VAR team, underlines his continued importance within English refereeing.
For readers asking who is Peter Bankes, the answer is straightforward: he is an experienced English professional referee whose career has developed from grassroots football in Liverpool to some of the biggest fixtures in English football. His story reflects the years of training, experience and progression required to operate at the highest level. For more football biographies and sports-focused stories, Insider Newz continues to explore the people behind the biggest moments in sport.
