Derby County could witness history-making decision as tradition under big

Derby County could see the long-standing Saturday 3pm blackout scrapped for the first time in more than 60 years once the next domestic broadcasting deals for the Premier League and EFL expire.

EFL headquarters in Preston (Image: PA)

Games are currently prohibited from being shown on Saturday afternoons to help preserve attendance across the football pyramid and maintain steady participation at the grassroots level.

However, according to The Times, senior figures have suggested that the current blackout, which has been in place since 1960, is unlikely to last beyond the 2028/29 season and is regarded as out of date.

The UK remains the only country in Europe with a 3pm broadcast restriction, but that could change in the next deal struck with the top flight and the EFL. Many Premier League games are not shown at their traditional 3pm slot and now shown at different times for live television coverage.

From next season every top flight game that is not taking place at 3pm will be shown on TV. The new EFL deal, meanwhile, which started this season, has more than 1,000 matches a year being screened live on Sky with Championship games being played at 12.30pm on Saturdays or Friday nights. Derby, for example, have already had several games screened live at 12.30pm this season and will face Leeds at Elland Road this lunchtime.

However, should the blackout come to an end, research has claimed that it could cost EFL clubs a combined £37m in matchday revenue which is likely to be factored into any subsequent deal.

Under Uefa’s article 48, which is applied for by the FA in conjunction with the Premier League and EFL, the blackout stipulations maintain that for it to be applied then 50 per cent of games in the Premier League and Championship must be scheduled for Saturday 3pm.