FOOTBALL fans are set to have the chance to watch even more matches next season.
The Premier League are reportedly set to give broadcasters the chance to buy games that were not initially scheduled for television.
The option would come into effect for the next rights cycle between 2025 and 2028, according to the Daily Mail.
This season has seen complaints from supporters that have not been able to watch some matches that had been rescheduled and played in vacant broadcast slots.
Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace in March was not shown despite kicking off in Sky Sports’ 2pm broadcast slot because of the FA Cup draw.
The broadcaster was not permitted to show the game, leaving fans with a Sunday afternoon without televised football on the channel.
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Two Manchester United matches against Brentford and Leeds have not been televised despite being played on mid-week evenings after being rescheduled.
A number of Premier League clubs are believed to have criticised the system which has been touted as “outdated”.
This is thought to have been heard by the Premier League as it is expected to include a way for broadcasters to purchase more games when it launches the UK rights tender in October.
England’s top division is expected to follow the EFL by selling more matches for the 2025/26 to the 2027/28 campaigns.
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The report suggests that the number of games available will increase from 200 to between 260 and 280.
The traditional blackout between 2.45pm and 5.15pm is expected to remain.
However, the increase of televised fixtures would see fewer and fewer games kick off at 3pm on a Saturday.
It is thought that on average there would only be three games in that slot for the Premier League’s 34 weekend rounds.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
