Sky Sports will broadcast every match from the opening rounds of the Championship, League One and League Two live next season, with most kicking off at 3pm on Saturday.
With the EFL starting a fortnight before the Premier League, the 3pm Saturday blackout is not in place and Sky has opted to take advantage. The EFL has introduced a split start, with League One and Two kicking off on Friday 1 August and the Championship seven days later.
On that second weekend five games from League One and League Two will be televised. The Premier League kicks off on Friday 15 August with Bournemouth’s visit to the champions Liverpool, which will also be live on Sky.
The EFL fixtures will be announced on Thursday at midday BST, with TV details for the first six rounds to be confirmed by 9 July. In an attempt to help fans make plans, TV games and fixture changes until the FA Cup third round in January will be confirmed before the season, with TV picks for the second half of the season announced in November.
The two-week window of TV coverage will give the EFL greater exposure before a season which brings a new and expanded domestic TV deal for the Premier League. Under the terms of that contract, Sky Sports is increasing its Premier League live offering from 128 to 215 matches and 52 fixtures will be shown exclusively by TNT Sports.
All non-3pm Saturday Premier League kick-offs will be televised live for the first time, with up to seven matches available each weekend. Sky Sports will broadcast multiple 2pm Sunday matches, which will often feature clubs participating in the Europa League and Conference League.
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The blackout, under Uefa’s article 48, applies when 50% of games in the top two divisions kick off at 3pm on Saturday.
