The Premier League and the EFL are set to hold talks in early 2026 over removing the 3pm blackout, according to a report.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 20: Viktor Gyoekeres of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Matt Hughes reports for The Guardian that the Premier League and the EFL will hold talks in early 2026 about working together to remove the blackout on Saturday 3pm matches.
Both the Premier League and the EFL believe that selling every games is their only way to bring in more revenue, and the EFL need to know what they can offer before their rights next go to market at the start of 2027 – with the Premier League auction to take place later that year.
The current domestic rights deals last until the end of 2028/29, so the blackout will certainly be in place until then. But perhaps the end of the blackout is now finally on the horizon.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Declan Rice of Arsenal warms up as the teams line up during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Hughes mentions that many of the Premier League clubs’ American owners have long been pushing to broadcast every game, and the FA is unlikely to object to the blackout being dropped. If the EFL get on board as well, the direction of travel should be pretty clear.
Sky Sports higher-ups have also recently hinted that they believe all 380 Premier League games will soon be shown in the UK.
The only potential issue is that the Premier League and the EFL may face demands for compensation from the leagues in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales if the blackout is lifted, as English 3pm games being shown in those countries could hurt local attendances.
That’s likely to be a consideration in those planned talks between the Premier League and the EFL.
LONDON, ENGLAND: David Raya of Arsenal saves a header from Kevin Schade of Brentford (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brentford at Emirates Stadium on December 03, 2025. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
For fans of a Premier League club like Arsenal, it would obviously be an entirely positive thing for the blackout to be removed.
All of the Gunners’ games would be available to watch on TV regardless of the schedule, and a bigger rights deal would mean more money for Arsenal to invest in competing with Europe’s best. But it remains to be seen how talks go in 2026.
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