90min

All Premier League Games Could Be Televised Next Season - 3pm Blackout Temporarily Lifted

By Matt O'Connor-Simpson

All Premier League games could be broadcasted live next season
All Premier League games could be broadcasted live next season / Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
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A blackout preventing Saturday 3pm kick offs from being broadcasted in the UK is set to be lifted next season, increasing the chances of all Premier League games being televised.

Fans will not be allowed inside stadiums when English top flight football gets underway next month and granting supporters the option to watch games on television is seen as the next best thing.

Leicester vs Aston Villa back in March was the last Premier League fixture with fans
Leicester vs Aston Villa back in March was the last Premier League fixture with fans / Michael Regan/Getty Images

The Times report that plans to broadcast all Premier League fixtures this season have been given a boost by the FA giving the green light to the blackout being lifted. Restriction were previously removed during Project Restart, with television rights being split between the league's four broadcast partners.

The Premier League had initially planned to honour the contracts it signed with Sky and BT Sport, which would mean that up to 40% of games would not be shown on TV in the UK. However, they have been forced into a U-turn following pressure from top-flight clubs who are concerned that the blackout would see supporters flock to illegal streams.

During Project Restart both Sky and BT Sport aired some of its games for free. Neither are expected to replicate this, although season ticket holders could once again be given special access to watch their club's games without being charged.

Cardboard fans have been used in lieu of the real thing
Cardboard fans have been used in lieu of the real thing / ANDY RAIN/Getty Images

The lifting of broadcasting restriction is set to be announced soon, following a meeting between Premier League chairman on Thursday.

The blackout's removal is conditional to fans continuing to be barred from stadiums. The government are planning a series of pilot events over the next few weeks to test out the feasibility of allowing spectators back at games.

Even if these events - which will to include a pre-season friendly at Brighton's Amex Stadium on 30 August - are successful, fans are not expected to fill top fight stadiums for some time.