Premier League’s 3pm Blackout Could End After 60 Years

Avatar
Image credit: Premier League

The long-standing 3pm broadcasting blackout for Premier League and EFL matches may soon be a thing of the past.

According to The Sun, the restriction could be lifted within the next five years, potentially reshaping the football viewing landscape in the UK.

The Current Situation

The blackout, which has been in place for six decades, prevents live broadcasting of games played at 3pm on Saturdays.

This rule aims to safeguard attendance at lower-league matches by encouraging fans to watch games in person rather than on television.

The Premier League’s new four-year broadcasting deal, set to begin next season, will maintain the blackout. However, both the Premier League and EFL agreements are scheduled to expire at the conclusion of the 2028-29 season, opening the door for significant changes.

Changing Perspectives

Traditionally seen as essential to protect matchday attendance, the blackout’s relevance is being questioned.

EFL studies suggest that televising matches has minimal impact on crowd numbers, challenging the necessity of the rule.

With a surge in live games on TV and digital platforms, the football community is increasingly debating whether the blackout is outdated.

Currently, the Premier League broadcasts 270 matches per season, leaving 110 games locked behind the blackout, and this has become increasingly controversial with local fans left frustrated at the fact they can’t watch all of their teams games.

Piracy Concerns

The blackout has inadvertently contributed to the rise in illegal streaming. Fans often resort to using devices like “cracked Fire Sticks” to watch Saturday 3pm matches, undermining the very attendance-focused intent of the restriction.

Recently, the Premier League have cracked down on piracy, threatening jail time and/or a large fine for anyone who illegally streams games that are affected by the blackout.

What’s Next?

Although the blackout remains in place for now, its future is under scrutiny. As midweek fixtures are exempt from the rule, every Premier League game this week is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.

The decision to lift the blackout will likely come as part of broader broadcasting negotiations, potentially marking the end of a long-standing tradition and redefining how fans experience English football.

With the rule being considered ‘outdated’ by many, the 2028-29 proposed change comes at the right time. Both the Premier League and the EFL can capitalise on an even bigger national TV rights deal, strengthening both leagues’ finances.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Juventus FC confirms 2025/26 Jeep & Visit Detroit shirt deal

Avatar
Image Credit: Juventus FC website

Juventus FC has unveiled a landmark dual front-of-shirt sponsorship deal for the 2025/2026 season, with both jeep and Visit Detroit set to appear a co-branded collaborators across the club’s men’s, women’s, and Next Gen sides. The announcement marks a first for Serie A and European football, as a destination marketing organisation (DMO) joins a top-tier club’s shirt sponsorship.

The agreement builds on Jeep’s long-standing connection with Juventus, dating back to 2012, while welcoming Visit Detroit — the world’s first convention and visitors bureau — in a bold move to merge global tourism promotion with elite football.

Shared Shirt Real Estate, Expanded Global Reach

Under the agreement:

  • Jeep and Visit Detroit will co-feature on the front of Juventus’ domestic kits
  • Jeep retains sole front-of-shirt rights for international fixtures

The co-branding strategy reflects a broader shift in club commercial models, as Juventus looks to diversify revenue streams, grow its global footprint, and strengthen ties to the North American market.

Breaking New Ground in Tourism & Sport

While tourism boards have collaborated with clubs before, this is the first time a CVB has secured front-of-shirt branding at this level — signalling the rise of cross-industry partnerships blending travel, sport, and city branding.

The deal also aligns with Juventus’ push to build deeper connections in the U.S., where Serie A’s popularity continues to climb.

A Shared Focus on Innovation and Reach

All three parties — Juventus, Jeep, and Visit Detroit — say the collaboration is grounded in shared values: innovation, community, and global ambition. Jeep brings legacy and loyalty, while Visit Detroit represents a fresh, lifestyle-led approach to brand engagement.

Both brands will benefit from:

  • Widespread global exposure across multiple teams
  • Integrated marketing and activation opportunities
  • Hospitality and fan engagement initiatives in Italy and abroad

A Sign of Things to Come

Juventus’ new sponsorship model reflects broader commercial trends in football: dual-brand kits, destination marketing, and increased U.S. market integration. The agreement could set the stage for similar deals, especially among clubs seeking to balance heritage brands with emerging categories like tourism and experiential branding.

‘Football For Good’ partnership launched by PFA and Juan Mata’s ‘Common Goal’

Avatar
'Football For Good' partnership launched by PFA and Juan Mata's 'Common Goal'
Credit: Professional Footballers Australia (PFA)

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has announced a partnership with Juan Mata’s ‘Common Goal’, which aims grow and support the ‘Football For Good’ community in Australia.

This collaboration is the first of its kind between Common Goal and a players’ association, and it aims to tap into football’s potential to create real social impact—both in Australia and around the world.

The partnership was officially launched at a media event in Sydney on last Tuesday afternoon.

As part of the agreement, PFA and Common Goal will work together to:

  • Raise awareness about the Football For Good community among socially conscious and community-focused Australian footballers;
  • Host ‘Football For Good’ events and fundraising campaigns; and
  • Use the PFA’s Footballers’ Trust to help identify and support community projects that players can contribute to.

Australian footballers will also be encouraged to get involved by pledging 1% of their football earnings to Common Goal, or by donating any amount to causes they care deeply about.

All contributions will go toward supporting PFA-accredited grassroots and community-led organisations that use football to create positive social change.

These include:

  • Australian Blind Football
  • Football Empowerment
  • Football Futures
  • Football United (Creating Chances)
  • Heartbeat of Football
  • John Moriarty Football
  • One Ball
  • PlayrProject
  • Pride Cup
  • Reflect Forward
  • Transplant Australia Football Club

 

Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Juan Mata, who co-founded Common Goal in 2017, was on hand to help launch the partnership and share the message of using football as a force for good.

“Australia has a passionate football culture and has an incredible opportunity to lead with purpose,” Mata said in a press release

“Through this partnership with the PFA, we want to inspire Australian players to see how they can use their platform to make a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond.”

Common Goal Advisory Co-Chair and founder of Football United, Anne Bunde-Birouste highlighted the importance of the partnership.

“Professional player engagement is paramount to supporting our work with children and young people for the inspiration they bring,” Bunde-Birouste said in a press release.

“This world-first collaboration will greatly enable Australian players to get involved with football for good organisations, helping us help our communities through the magic of football.”

A growing number of Australian footballers have already joined Common Goal, including Alex Brosque, Caitlin Foord, Aivi Luik, Angela Beard, Winonah Heatley, Izzy Dalton, Libby Copus-Brown, and Alex Chidiac.

Here in Australia, the initiative is backed by the PFA’s Footballers’ Trust, which gives players a way to donate a portion of their football earnings to causes they care about.

Since launching in 2019, the Trust has helped direct $500,000 in player contributions to 24 different charities, human rights groups, inclusion initiatives, and football-based programs both locally and overseas.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend