EFL Fans to Receive Ample Notice on Match Schedule Changes
Match-going supporters of EFL clubs can breathe a sigh of relief as they will be given plenty of notice regarding changes to kick-off times. The EFL recently announced a groundbreaking deal with Sky Sports, worth a staggering £935 million, to broadcast over 1,000 matches across all EFL competitions. This deal will commence in the 2024-2025 season and extend until the end of the 2028-2029 season.
Under the terms of the agreement, each Championship club will be featured on either one of Sky’s regular sports channels or their new Sky Sports+ platform a minimum of 24 times. Similarly, clubs in Leagues One and Two will appear at least 20 times. Furthermore, fans can look forward to every match being broadcast live on the opening and closing weekends of the season, as well as midweek and Bank Holiday games. Additionally, League One and Two matches during international breaks, along with all Carabao Cup and Bristol Street Motors Trophy matches, will also be shown live. In total, an impressive 1,059 matches are set to be broadcast.
To alleviate any concerns about sudden changes to kick-off times, the EFL and Sky have stated that broadcast selections up to the end of September will be confirmed within seven days of the announcement of the 2024-2025 fixtures this summer. Supporters will also be informed about any changes before the start of the season, well in advance of the FA Cup third round weekend in January. By November 1, fans will know about selections through to the first weekend in March. As for the run-in towards the end of the season, a four-week notice period for selections will be implemented.
The EFL has assured League One and Two clubs that at least 16 of their 20 minimum appearances will not involve a change in kick-off time. Similarly, Championship clubs can expect at least 11 out of their minimum 24 appearances to remain unaffected. This commitment aims to minimize disruptions to the match-going experience for loyal fans.
It is worth noting that despite the extensive coverage, not all matches will be broadcast. Out of the 36 fixtures on a regular weekend, 26 will not be shown live. However, an exciting development is that, for the first time, all 36 EFL matches on the opening and final rounds in each division will be broadcast live, offering fans unparalleled access to the action.
Sky Sports has already revealed its plans for the opening weekend of the season. Four matches will be shown live on Friday, August 9, with two from the Championship and one each from League One and League Two. All matches will kick off at 8pm. The following day, eight Championship games, 11 League One matches, and 11 League Two fixtures will be broadcast live. The specific divisions occupying each slot are yet to be determined, but the time slots are expected to be 12:30 pm, 3 pm, and 5:30 pm. The last two Championship openers will take place on Sunday, August 11.
One interesting aspect to consider is UEFA Article 48, which creates a ‘blackout’ on live coverage between 2:45 pm and 5:15 pm on Saturdays in English football. However, this blackout only applies when 50 percent of matches in the top two divisions are being played. Hence, on August 10, viewers will have access to 11 EFL matches as not enough games from the top two divisions will be taking place.
The new Sky Sports+ platform will replace the EFL’s iFollow streaming service. On a regular weekend, fans can expect to see ten matches shown live, including seven at 12:30 pm on Saturdays. The remaining matches will be split between the Championship, League One, and League Two.
This landmark deal between the EFL and Sky Sports will significantly boost the annual domestic broadcast revenue for the 72 EFL clubs. Currently standing at £119 million per year, along with an additional £7 million from domestic streaming, this revenue will rise to an impressive £180 million under the new agreement. This injection of funds will undoubtedly benefit the clubs and contribute to the growth and development of English football.
In conclusion, match-going supporters of EFL clubs can look forward to a comprehensive coverage plan that will allow them to catch their team in action on TV. With an abundance of notice regarding changes to kick-off times and an extensive schedule of live matches, fans can stay connected to the excitement of EFL competitions. The new deal between the EFL and Sky Sports marks a significant milestone in broadcasting rights, offering fans unparalleled access and providing a financial boost to EFL clubs.