Championship to broadcast 3pm games for first time post-Covid restrictions

The EFL is live streaming two Championship matches during the 3pm blackout this weekend, Sheffield United v Huddersfield and Cardiff City v Stoke City.

This is the first time this has happened while fans are also able to attend matches at stadiums.

With the blackout not in force during the World Cup, the EFL has taken the, “opportunity to test how the streaming of live matches during traditionally blocked hours is received by fans that wish to watch their team, wherever they may be,” as CEO Trevor Birch commented last month.

The Championship is making a full return this weekend, with Watford v Hull City also available to stream at 3pm on Sunday. All League One and League Two games will also be available through iFollow and club platforms.

EFL chief commercial officer Ben Wright spoke to Broadcast Sport in October about the organisation’s willingness to bring an end to the 3pm blackout, following its rights tender specifying that all 1,891 matches are up for grabs for broadcasters from the 2024/25 season.

Sky Sports will also be broadcasting three Championship matches across the weekend, starting with Blackburn Rovers v Preston at 12pm on Saturday, followed by Queens Park Rangers v Burnley at 1pm on Sunday and Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion at 8pm on Monday.

ITV will air highlights from all three divisions at 10pm on Saturday on ITV4 and at 12.45pm on Sunday on ITV.